mothball Definition
- 1a small ball or lump of a strongly scented substance put among clothes or other materials to repel moths
- 2to stop using something for a period of time, often because it is no longer practical or useful
Using mothball: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "mothball" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
I had to put all my winter clothes in mothballs to keep them safe.
Example
The project was mothballed due to lack of funding.
Example
The company decided to mothball the old factory and build a new one.
mothball Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with mothball
in mothballs
not being used or active, but kept in reserve for possible future use
Example
The old fighter planes were put in mothballs after the war.
a collection of decommissioned naval vessels that are kept in reserve for possible future use
Example
The mothball fleet is maintained by the US Navy in case of emergency.
to stop working on a plan or project, but keep it in reserve for possible future use
Example
The company is mothballing its expansion plans until the market improves.
Origins of mothball
from the practice of storing clothes with balls of chemical compounds that repel moths
Summary: mothball in Brief
The term 'mothball' [ˈmɒθbɔːl] refers to a small ball of scented substance used to repel moths from clothes. It also means to stop using something for a period of time, often because it is no longer practical or useful. 'Mothball' extends into phrases like 'in mothballs,' denoting something not being used or active but kept in reserve, and 'mothball fleet,' referring to decommissioned naval vessels kept in reserve.
