(usually in the plural) A small ball of chemical pesticide (typically naphthalene) and deodorant placed in or around clothing and other articles susceptible to damage from mold or moth larvae in order to protect them from this damage.

(transitive) To store or shelve something no longer used. / (transitive, figuratively) To stop using (something), but keep it in good condition.

Resembling or suggesting mothballs, especially their distinctive odour.

plural of mothball

The act of something being mothballed: taken out of service and stored for possible later use.

present participle of mothball

simple past tense and past participle of mothball

(of something out of use) Kept in good condition for possible future use.

plural of mothballer

One who mothballs something. / (informal) A ship recalled from being mothballed and put back into service.