Molting: meaning, definitions and examples

Used mainly in the biological context, referring to animals, particularly birds, reptiles, and insects, losing their outer covering such as feathers, skin, or exoskeleton.

• Birds go through molting to renew their feathers
• Snakes undergo molting several times a year to grow

Commonly used when animals, especially mammals, lose their fur, skin, or leaves from a plant fall off. It can also be used metaphorically for letting go of something.

• The dog is shedding its winter coat
• Trees are shedding their leaves in autumn
• He is shedding old habits for a healthier lifestyle

Can be used both literally and figuratively. In a literal sense, it often pertains to the action of discarding or releasing something. Figuratively, it can mean freeing oneself from something restrictive or burdensome.

• The ship was casting off its old nets
• She is casting off her fears to start the new project

Mostly used in a biological or medical context, referring to the shedding or peeling away of dead skin, tissue, or outer layers. It can also be used metaphorically but is less common.

• Snakes slough off their old skin as they grow
• The wound is healing and sloughing off dead tissue

Molting is commonly used in biology and zoology to describe the process through which birds shed their old feathers and grow new ones. It's a natural and periodic biological process.

• During autumn, many birds start molting, losing old feathers and growing new ones to prepare for the winter

Feather replacement is a more descriptive and easily understandable term for non-specialists. It's often used in educational contexts for explaining molting in simpler terms.

• In the spring, the process of feather replacement begins as birds get ready for the mating season

Plumage renewal is a more poetic or formal way of referring to the process. It might be found in literature or scientific descriptions where a more elegant term is desired.

• The majestic eagle undergoes plumage renewal, emerging with feathers that glisten in the sunlight