Word
molding
Phoneticsmold·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmoʊɫdɪŋ/
UK/mˈəʊldɪŋ/
UK spelling · moulding
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a decorative strip of wood, stone, or plastic used to cover edges or decorate walls and ceilings. You often see it where the wall meets the floor or the ceiling.
n. a decorative recessed or relieved surface used for ornamentation or to conceal joints in architecture and furniture. Often features a uniform profile across its length.
Examples
“The carpenter is installing new crown molding in the living room.”
“We painted the wooden molding white to match the window frames and brighten the room.”
“The restoration project required custom-made plaster molding to replicate the intricate Victorian patterns that had been damaged by moisture over the decades.”
Examples
simple
“The carpenter is installing new crown molding in the living room.”
contextual
“We painted the wooden molding white to match the window frames and brighten the room.”
complex
“The restoration project required custom-made plaster molding to replicate the intricate Victorian patterns that had been damaged by moisture over the decades.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the material or the decorative style; countable when referring to specific lengths or pieces.
Real-World Examples
“They also began shaping their vessels by stacking coils of clay instead of molding it.” “A worker inserts a hose into the valve of an Adidas AG “Brazuca” soccer ball in a thermo- bonding molding machine at the Forward Sports factory in Sialkot, Pakistan.” Etymology
From Middle English moldyng; equivalent to mold + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/molding