Entry Word: combat

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 active fighting during the course of a war <a soldier who served through the war without actually seeing combat>

Synonyms action, battle

Related Words attack, fire; hostilities, operations, warfare; duty, service

2 a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups <the two stags entered a furious combat for dominance of the herd> — see fight 1
3 an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another <fierce ideological combat> — see contest 1