weld

verb \ ˈweld \

|Updated on: 19 Jul 2018

Definition of weld

welded; welding; welds

: to become or be capable of being welded

1 a : to unite (metallic parts) by heating and allowing the metals to flow together or by hammering or compressing with or without previous heating

b : to unite (plastics) in a similar manner by heating

c : to repair (something) by this method

d : to produce or create as if by such a process

2 : to unite or reunite closely or intimately

architecture that welds the past and the present

—

weldable

play \ˈwel-də-bəl\ adjective

See weld defined for English-language learners

See weld defined for kids

Examples of weld in a Sentence

She learned how to weld.
We welded the beams together.
They were welded together in friendship.
His style of painting welds impressionism with surrealism.

Recent Examples of weld from the Web

In Catbird’s spacious, dreamy new office-slash-workshop in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Vardi and Plessner were both modeling tiny welded ankle chains, which would be a huge hit this summer.

— emily farra, Vogue, "Catbird’s New “Welding Annex” Offers Permanent Jewelry—For Under $100," 12 July 2018
Major Japanese construction company Shimizu Corp. has developed robots that can weld, lift and bolt for use at building sites.

— Fox News, "Construction robots weld, bolt, lift to beat worker shortage," 23 Apr. 2018
Another of Moore’s friends welded a custom chain link steering wheel and Goff designed an All-American front license plate holder.

— heidi van horne, Houston Chronicle, "Patriotic Ford panel truck shines at Independence Day parades," 30 June 2018
William Villalongo welded a baby doll head onto the barrel of a gun, and placed the artwork on a soft red pillow.

— susan dunne, courant.com, "Artists #UNLOAD In Gun Exhibit At Fairfield University," 26 June 2018
It also is not welded or cut; instead, blacksmiths fuse joints by hammering them together and create openings by hammering the metal to the side.

— jeanne huber, sacbee, "No need to get all bent over sculpture rust," 22 June 2018
Conductor Stephen Lord valiantly welded the score’s disparate elements together.

— heidi waleson, WSJ, "‘An American Soldier’ and ‘Regina’ Reviews: Prejudice and Power," 12 June 2018
While welding and bolting atop soaring structures was often perilous, the crews found plenty of time to swap stories and jokes, Rosenbach said, and Rukavina was often at the center of it.

— patrick m. o'connell, chicagotribune.com, "At 80, ironworker who has dangled atop Chicago's tallest skyscrapers is still climbing," 9 June 2018
Work crews welded and hammered in the rain under a retractable roof that was closed but lacked its center seal.

— aimee berg, USA TODAY, "U.S. Open's second covered stadium should help with weather delays, boost attendance," 17 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'weld.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of weld

alteration of obsolete English well to weld, from Middle English wellen to boil, well, weld — more at well

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1599

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

weld

noun

Definition of weld

1 : a welded joint

2 : union by welding : the state or condition of being welded

See weld defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of weld from the Web

The audit also said Schlitterbahn could not show records indicating the company had a certified weld inspector look at a third ride after 5,000 uses, which is required by a manufacturer's maintenance schedule.

— samuel chamberlain, Fox News, "Kansas water park to tear down slide 2 years after boy's beheading," 12 July 2018
The service bulletin released owners from the requirement of having weld inspections after 5,000 uses, instead suggesting that the inspection occur after six seasons of use.

— steve vockrodt, kansascity, "A month after Schlitterbahn's opening, four rides remain closed at the KCK water park," 10 July 2018
Wade was working in the weld shop at Caterpillar, Inc., 1100 Milwaukee Ave.

— erik s. hanley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Medical examiner releases the name of Oak Creek man killed in Caterpillar accident," 15 May 2018
The company even installed an all-new weld shop with 342 robots to make the Accord’s redesigned metal body.

— john lippert, The Seattle Times, "Robots take a back seat as humans build the best new car you can buy," 28 Jan. 2018
Munro also said the different types of welds surprised him.

— eric d. lawrence, Detroit Free Press, "Tesla Model 3: Highly innovative, but built with 'dinosaur technology'," 26 Apr. 2018
The Lincoln Electric Weld School opened in 1917, making it the oldest continually operating weld school in the world, according to the company, which designs, develops and manufacturers arc welding products and robotic arc welding systems.

— olivera perkins, cleveland.com, "Lincoln Electric opens $30 million Welding Technology & Training Center in Euclid," 22 Mar. 2018
The company even installed an all-new weld shop with 342 robots to make the Accord’s redesigned metal body.

— john lippert, The Seattle Times, "Robots take a back seat as humans build the best new car you can buy," 28 Jan. 2018
The company even installed an all-new weld shop with 342 robots to make the Accord’s redesigned metal body.

— john lippert, The Seattle Times, "Robots take a back seat as humans build the best new car you can buy," 28 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of weld

1831

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

WELD Defined for English Language Learners

weld

verb

Definition of weld for English Language Learners

: to join pieces of metal together by heating the edges until they begin to melt and then pressing them together
: to join or bring (people or things) close together