a market-town of England, Wiltshire, situated on a slope near the Avon, 26 miles N.W. of Salisbury, and 96 W. by S. from London. It consists of one long and irregular street; and the houses are of stone, and well built. On the other side of the Avon, which here crossed by a handsome stone bridge, stands a suburb, known by the name of The City. The church, which is believed to be as old as the twelfth century, is in the form of a cross, with a tower, which stood formerly in the centre, but was removed in 1845 to the west end. Melksham has also places of worship for Independents, Baptists, Methodists, and Quakers. There is a large market-house and town-hall, built in 1847, in the Grecian style of architecture. Melksham has, besides, national and British schools, and a savings-bank. In the neighbourhood mineral springs were discovered some time ago, near which have been erected baths and houses for the accommodation of visitors. In the reign of William the Conqueror Melksham seems to have been a place of considerable importance. It has since fallen off; but of late years has been raised by the introduction of the cloth manufacture. Besides this manufacture, and that of ropes, the town has large corn mills, and a considerable trade in leather and malt. It is also the seat of a county court; and petty sessions are held here. Pop. of town (1851) 2931.