moth·ball
ˈmȯth-ˌbȯl 
1
: a ball made formerly of camphor but now often of naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene and used to keep moths from clothing
2
mothballs plural
: a condition of protective storage
put the ships in mothballs after the war
also
: a state of having been rejected for further use or dismissed from further consideration
mothballed; mothballing; mothballs
1
: to deactivate (something, such as a ship) and prevent deterioration chiefly by dehumidification
2
: to withdraw from use or service and keep in reserve : put aside
Examples of mothball in a Sentence
Verb
Many navy ships were mothballed after the war.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 14 Apr. 2024
Impressionistic images—garlic, mothballs, the color of the sea, the temple around the corner—are peppered throughout.
—Vrinda Jagota, SPIN, 27 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mothball 
Noun
Cat repellents and mothballs are an effective way to keep peacocks out of gardens.
—Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 14 Apr. 2024
Impressionistic images—garlic, mothballs, the color of the sea, the temple around the corner—are peppered throughout.
—Vrinda Jagota, SPIN, 27 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mothball
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mothball.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Mothball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mothball. Accessed 1 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mothball
1 of 2 noun
moth·ball
ˈmȯth-ˌbȯl
1
: a ball (as of naphthalene) used to keep moths out of clothing
2
plural
: protective storage
a fleet put in mothballs after the war
mothball
2 of 2 verb1
: to remove a ship from use and protect from deterioration
2
: to withdraw from use or service and keep in reserve : put aside
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