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 …

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 …

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

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

Jul 10, 2025 · Mothballs are a potent way of dealing with clothes moths. Many people forget that mothballs are made of dangerous pesticides and don't take safety precautions when using …

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

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 …

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.

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.

Mothball definition: A marble-sized ball, originally of camphor but now of naphthalene, stored with clothes to repel moths.