The meaning of MOTHBALL is a ball made formerly of camphor but now often of naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene and used to keep moths away from clothing. How to use mothball in a …

Mothballs[1] are small balls of chemical pesticide and deodorant, sometimes used when storing clothing and other materials susceptible to damage from silverfish, mold or moth larvae …

MOTHBALL meaning: 1. a small, white ball containing a chemical with a strong smell that keeps moths away from…. Learn more.

The old ship is being taken out of mothballs. Many navy ships were mothballed after the war.

A mothball is a small ball made of a special chemical, which you can put among clothes or blankets in order to keep moths away.

Oct 18, 2025 · You probably know that classic mothball smell, but have you ever considered the chemicals behind it? Our experts explain.

A condition of being set aside or discarded: have put the plan into mothballs. 1. To remove (a ship, for example) from active service or use and put into protective storage. 2. To defer …

Factsheet What does the word mothball mean? There are six meanings listed in OED's entry for the word mothball. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

/ˈmɒθbɔl/ IPA guide Other forms: mothballs; mothballed; mothballing Definitions of mothball noun a small sphere of camphor or naphthalene used to keep moths away from stored clothing …

Dec 15, 2025 · mothball (plural mothballs) (chiefly in the plural) A small ball of chemical pesticide (originally camphor and now typically naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene) and deodorant …