Definition of Kalam
تَعْرِيفُ الْكَلَامِ
الْكَلَامُ هُوَ اللَّفْظُ الْمُرَكَّبُ الْمُفِيدُ بِالْوَضْعِ. وَأَقْسَامُهُ ثَلَاثَةٌ: اِسْمٌ، وَفِعْلٌ، وَحَرْفٌ جَاءَ لِمَعْنًى.
Translation
Kalam is a composed lafazh, containing faedah (perfect meaning), based on Arabic language conventions. There are three divisions: Isim, Fi'il, and Harf.
Commentary
4 elements of kalam: (1) Lafzh=speech; (2) Murakkab=composed of at least 2 elements; (3) Mufid = means perfect; (4) Bil-wadh'=Arabic convention. Example: جَاءَ زَيْدٌ (kalam). Not kalam: إِنْ قَامَ (not yet perfect). Three types of words are the foundation of the entire science of nahwu.