What does casting mean?
Casting is a noun describing the act of throwing something, shaping material by pouring it into a mold, or choosing performers for particular roles. In industry, casting refers to a fundamental manufacturing process in which molten metal or plastic is poured into a mold and allowed to solidify, producing parts ranging from engine components to sculptures; the finished piece itself may also be called a casting. In the performing arts, casting denotes the process by which directors and producers select actors for film, television, and stage productions, often beginning with a public casting call. The word carries neutral connotations across these domains but frequently evokes craftsmanship and transformation in industrial contexts, and opportunity or judgment in artistic ones. Related phrases include casting vote, die casting, and casting director.
The act, process, or result of shaping material by pouring it into a mold; also an object formed in this way.
"The foundry specializes in precision castings for aerospace applications."
In manufacturing contexts, plural 'castings' commonly refers to multiple molded objects.
The selection of actors or performers for particular roles in a production.
"The casting for the lead role took nearly eight months."
Present participle of cast: to throw, to shape by pouring into a mold, or to assign roles to actors.
"They are casting the supporting roles next week."
Functions grammatically as part of progressive verb constructions rather than as an independent headword sense.
Used mainly in industrial/manufacturing contexts to refer to multiple molded metal or plastic objects.
"The shipment contained over two hundred iron castings."
Every bronze statue and most metal car engine blocks began life as a 'casting' — a shape born from liquid poured into a mold.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of casting
Casting derives from the Old Norse verb kasta, meaning to throw, which entered English during the Middle English period as casten. Over time the verb broadened metaphorically from physical throwing to include shaping material in a mold (as molten metal is 'thrown' into a form) and assigning roles (as lots or parts were once 'thrown' or assigned). The gerund/noun form casting emerged naturally from this verb. Cognates include related Scandinavian forms and English derivatives such as forecast and recast.
Related word forms
How casting is actually used
Common in both industrial and entertainment contexts. In theater and film, 'casting' often appears as a mass noun referring to the overall selection process. In manufacturing, it can refer both to the process and to the finished product (a 'casting').
Easily confused with casting
'Casting' refers to throwing, molding, or selecting actors, while 'costing' is the process of calculating the price or expense of something.