Melee refers to a type of close combat or fighting that occurs at short range, often involving hand-to-hand techniques or the use of handheld weapons. It is commonly seen in various forms of martial arts, military training, and competitive sports. In video games, melee combat typically involves characters engaging in physical confrontations using weapons like swords or fists. In historical contexts, melee can describe chaotic battles where soldiers fought in close proximity, often leading to intense and unpredictable encounters. This term is also used in role-playing games and fighting games, where players engage in direct combat without the use of ranged attacks.