Molt means to lose old feathers, fur, or skin, so new ones can grow. Many animals molt as part of their natural cycle.
Birds molt their feathers every year.
Snakes molt their skin to grow bigger.
Molt can also mean to lose other body parts or coverings like horns or bark naturally. This helps animals or plants grow or renew.
Deer molt their antlers in winter.
Trees can molt bark in spring.
In insects and reptiles, molt means to lose old skin or parts. This is part of their growth or change process.
Caterpillars molt many times before becoming butterflies.
Lizards molt their skin regularly.
Molt as a noun means the time when an animal loses old feathers, skin, or hair to get new ones. It is a normal natural event.
The bird's molt happens in spring.
During the molt, feathers fall out slowly.
Molt can mean to leave behind old habits or ideas to become better. This meaning is more figurative and less common.
She molted old habits to grow stronger.
He molted his bad ideas for new ones.
In animals like crabs and fish, molt means to lose outer hard parts like shells or scales during growth or change.
Crabs molt their shells to grow bigger.
Some fish molt scales during seasons.
