A mêlée weapon is any weapon that does not involve a projectile — that is, both the user and target of the weapon are in contact with it simultaneously in normal use. As such these do not include statically emplaced weapons, like a boobytrap or a cauldron of boiling oil, but are carried by the troops.

There are two basic divisions — edged weapons, of which examples include swords, spears, axes, and knives, and crushing weapons, such as clubs, and maces (but not Mace; that is a chemical weapon). Also, there are whips and firebrands.

Edged weapons are called in French armes blanches (“white weapons”)

Compare: Ranged weapons.

See also

• Mêlée
• List of mêlée weapons

Mêlée weapons