Definition
Meld is the general mahjong word for a set of tiles that counts as one unit of a hand, such as a pung or a kong, and some players use it only for a set laid face up after calling a discard.
In Chinese and Japanese mahjong a meld can also be a chow, a run of three tiles in sequence, which the American game does not use. American rules call a set laid face up after a call an exposure, and apart from the call that wins the hand, a discard can only be called to complete a set of three or more identical tiles, such as a pung, kong or quint.
At the table
When someone says meld at an American table, it helps to know which meaning they have in mind, because only exposed sets are public and only their jokers can be exchanged. The mistake is carrying the word over from another game along with its runs. An American hand has no runs to meld, so a called discard completes a set of three or more identical tiles, and nothing smaller unless it wins the hand.
Also called melded set.
Read the full guide: Calling and Exposing in American Mahjong: When, How, and When Not To.
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Related: Exposure, Calling, Pung, Kong, Chow, Concealed hand. All 52 terms.