meld

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈmeld 

melded; melding; melds

transitive verb

: to declare or announce (a card or combination of cards) for a score in a card game especially by placing face up on the table

intransitive verb

: to declare a card or combination of cards as a meld

meld

2 of 4

noun (1)

: a card or combination of cards that is or can be melded in a card game

meld

3 of 4

verb (2)

melded; melding; melds

: merge, blend

Cook the sauce slowly to let the flavors meld.

meld

4 of 4

noun (2)

: blend, mixture

a meld of Christian and Jewish customs

Did you know?

As a verb used when things are blending or being blended together, meld dates only to the first half of the 20th century. In its early days, the word attracted some unfavorable attention. Those who didn't like it tended to perceive it as a misuse of an older meld meaning "to declare or announce (a card or cards) for a score in a card game" (such as pinochle or gin rummy). But the more recent meld, a blend of melt and weld, was an entirely new coinage suggesting a smooth and thorough blending of two or more things into a single, homogeneous whole. The word is no longer controversial.

Synonyms

Verb (2)

• amalgamate
• blend
• combine
• comingle
• commingle
• commix
• composite
• concrete
• conflate
• fuse
• homogenize
• immingle
• immix
• incorporate
• integrate
• interfuse
• intermingle
• intermix
• merge
• mingle
• mix

Noun (2)

• admixture
• alloy
• amalgam
• amalgamation
• blend
• cocktail
• combination
• composite
• compound
• conflation
• emulsion
• fusion
• intermixture
• mix
• mixture
• synthesis

Examples of meld in a Sentence

Verb (2)

a cuisine that melds East and West into strikingly original flavor combinations

Noun (2)

her music is a meld of various styles

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Each contestant had three minutes to meld catchy tunes and eye-popping spectacle into performances capable of winning the hearts of viewers. —Kirsten Grieshaber, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2024

Making pasta salads ahead can even help the flavors meld and deepen. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 9 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

German melden to announce, from Old High German meldōn; akin to Old English meldian to announce, Lithuanian malda prayer

Noun (1)

derivative of meld entry 1

Verb (2)

blend of melt and weld

Noun (2)

derivative of meld entry 3

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1887, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (1)

1887, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1919, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1954, in the meaning defined above

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

meld

1 of 2 verb

ˈmeld 

: merge sense 1, blend

the vocals meld perfectly with the instrumental accompaniment

meld

2 of 2 noun

: blend entry 2 sense 1, mixture

a meld of new and old ideas