molding

1 of 2

noun

mold·​ing ˈmōl-diŋ 

1

: an object produced by molding

2

a

: a decorative recessed or relieved surface

b

: a decorative plane or curved strip used for ornamentation or finishing

Illustration of molding

• 1 fillet and fascia
• 2 torus
• 3 reeding
• 4 cavetto
• 5 scotia
• 6 congé
• 7 beak

molding

2 of 2

present participle of mold entry 2, mold entry 4

Examples of molding in a Sentence

Noun

The house has beautiful moldings around its doors and windows.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Walking into the entry, each detail is a nod to the home’s provenance, including dentil molding and intricate millwork. — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026

Water flowed inside the building, damaging floors and molding. — Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026

Original moldings, door knobs, and wood paneling have been preserved, but spaces have been shaped for contemporary use including made disabled-accessible. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026

The bedroom is just fine, if a little spartan, with a leafy window view and some moldings, and the main bathroom has been given a spalike treatment. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing molding

• bed molding
• crown molding
• injection molding

Rhymes for molding

• folding
• holding
• moulding
• scolding
• beholding
• enfolding
• landholding
• refolding
• shareholding
• slaveholding
• stockholding
• unfolding

Kids Definition

molding

noun

mold·​ing ˈmōl-diŋ 

1

a

: the act or work of a person who molds

b

: an object produced by molding

2

: a strip of material having a shaped surface and used as a decoration (as on a wall or the edge of a table)

Medical Definition

molding

noun

mold·​ing

variants or chiefly British moulding

ˈmōl-diŋ 

: an act or process of molding

specifically : the shaping of the fetal head to allow it to pass through the birth canal during childbirth