“Mold” vs. “Mould”

Question

While writing about a factory that produces pipes, I needed to refer to how the metal was melted and put into molds/moulds. Which one is it, and is there a correct spelling or are both acceptable?

Answer 1

"mold" is the US spelling, "mould" is the British English spelling. No other difference.

Same applies for other meanings of mould/mold, i.e the fungus that grows on rotting substances, for example.

Answer 2

The Online Etymology Dictionary has "mould: see mold(2)", where 2 is the sense for fungus, however, mould is the accepted spelling in British English for all senses. Likewise mold in American English.

The three senses have interesting derivations, and I was not aware of the third one before now: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=mold

Answer 3

Mould is to mold as colour is to color.

Answer 4

I was of the belief that mold is what you pour your Jell-o into, and mould was what might grow on your bread.

Answer 5

There is also a town called Mold (like the American spelling) in Wales, UK. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mold,_Flintshire

http://www.itraveluk.co.uk/content/752.html