molten

adjective

mol·​ten ˈmōl-tᵊn How to pronounce molten (audio)
Synonyms of molten
1
: fused or liquefied by heat : melted
molten lava
2
: having warmth or brilliance : glowing
… the molten sunlight of warm skies …—T. B. Costain
3
obsolete : made by melting and casting

Examples of molten in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Located about 140 light-years away, this rocky world orbits so close to its host star that its surface is believed to be molten. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026 Johannes said, adding that the greatest difficulty in creating the bell is the risk that molten metal pressure will destroy the mold. — Philipp Jenne, Fortune, 30 July 2026 Southside Minneapolis is home to this three-napkin burger famous for its molten cheese center. — Jasmine Thompson, Midwest Living, 25 July 2026 Scientists think the heat detected beneath Io's surface could be rising steadily from the moon's molten interior through a conductive crust or coming from pockets of cooling lava flows trapped just below the surface. — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for molten

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from past participle of melten to melt

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of molten was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

molt
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Molteno disease
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Cite this Entry

“Molten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/molten. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

molten

adjective
mol·​ten ˈmōlt-ᵊn How to pronounce molten (audio)
: melted especially by very great heat

More from Merriam-Webster on molten

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for molten

Nglish: Translation of molten for Spanish Speakers

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