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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
Example Sentences
Julia Levy, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2023
The flavor of chili often improves after a day in the fridge because the extra time allows flavors to meld.
—Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2023
The flavors meld and evolve, creating a much more flavorful experience.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 20 July 2023
The amazing ticking-clock leadup to the 1945 Trinity test, the first detonation of a nuclear weapon, melds Hoyte van Hoytema’s stunning cinematography and Ludwig Göransson’s powerful orchestral score, and the blast itself is a sense-rattling moment.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 19 July 2023
This melding together of children’s television and children’s gaming is only accelerating.
—Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 18 July 2023
And with all three ingredients melded together, there was a subtle flowery aroma and flavor.
—Chris Dong, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2023
In May, Iger virtually guaranteed that a Comcast deal would happen by announcing that Disney+ and Hulu were melding their apps.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 15 July 2023
The flavors will meld together and make the dish taste even better after just a few hours.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 11 July 2023
Ximena N. Beltran Quan Kiu, Bon Appétit, 16 June 2023
This fragrance queues in on vanilla, saffron, almond, and suede leather meld in the air.
—Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2021
Together, they’re meant to prompt audience reflection and interaction, to turn the museum into a social space, a meld of public forum, classroom and therapy session.
—New York Times, 3 June 2021
Viewers who speak multiple languages may be familiar with the meld; a similar cultural phenomenon exists with the concept of Spanglish, for instance.
—Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2022
In some ways, the struggle is more complicated, as long-term physical consequences of what her body endured on 9/11 meld with the effects of aging or other health issues.
—Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2021
What is a meld in Mahjong?
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2022
The conflict is a meld of small confrontations often at Ukrainian checkpoints, tit-for-tat artillery shelling and moments of heavy street battles.
—Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2022
Written by Bryant with Jason Earley and Jonathan Gamble, this auspicious single melds conversational, ripped-from-the-diary lyrics with deft pop melody and rhythm.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'meld.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
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
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
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Dictionary Entries Near meld
Cite this Entry
“Meld.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meld. Accessed 8 Aug. 2023.
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Kids Definition
meld
1 of 2 verbmeld
2 of 2 noun
More from Merriam-Webster on meld
Nglish: Translation of meld for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of meld for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about meld
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