mould
1 Britishnoun
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a shaped cavity used to give a definite form to fluid or plastic material
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a frame on which something may be constructed
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something shaped in or made on a mould
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shape, form, design, or pattern
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specific nature, character, or type
heroic mould
verb
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to make in a mould
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to shape or form, as by using a mould
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to influence or direct
to mould opinion
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to cling to
the skirt moulds her figure
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metallurgy to make (a material such as sand) into a mould that is used in casting
noun
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a coating or discoloration caused by various saprotrophic fungi that develop in a damp atmosphere on the surface of stored food, fabrics, wallpaper, etc
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any of the fungi that causes this growth
verb
noun
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loose soil, esp when rich in organic matter
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poetic the earth
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of mould1
C13 (n): changed from Old French modle, from Latin modulus a small measure, module
Origin of mould2
C15: dialect (Northern English) mowlde mouldy, from the past participle of moulen to become mouldy, probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse mugla mould
Origin of mould3
Old English molde; related to Old High German molta soil, Gothic mulde
Explanation
Mould is the British spelling for "mold" — the stuff you find growing on old bread or the container you use to create your jello masterpieces. Living mould is like “mildew,” it’s a type of fungus that grows on damp or decaying matter. Mould can also mean a “caste” used to shape a hardening liquid. In this sense mould can refer to both the container and the end product that comes out of the mould. In addition, mould is used as a verb to describe the process of making a mould. When you pour plaster into a mould to make a shape, you mould that shape.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mycotoxins can be especially common in plant-based products because many of their ingredients, including grains, legumes and seeds, may be exposed to mould while they are being grown or stored.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 28, 2026
And after failed attempts from managers to mould the team into a slower, more measured, possession-heavy side, Carrick is aiming to create a style and system that mirrors United's traditions.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
Jaissle, though, sees the club's rebuild as an opportunity to start a new cycle and mould a young, hungry side after succeeding predecessor Eddie Howe.
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
Traore saw himself as a "big ball of clay" that Jones could mould, and the coach says he was "like a sponge" in terms of retaining information.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
The snake men led them through an iron storm grate at the docks, straight into their underground lair, which smelled of rotting fish, mould and snakeskin.
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
