combination

noun

com·bi·na·tion ˌkäm-bə-ˈnā-shən

often attributive

Synonyms of combination next

: a result or product of combining

Water is a combination of hydrogen and oxygen.

especially : an alliance of individuals, corporations, or states united to achieve a social, political, or economic end

: two or more persons working as a team

Together they are a winning combination.

: an ordered sequence: such as

: a sequence of letters or numbers chosen in setting a lock

What is the combination to the safe?

also : the mechanism operating or moved by the sequence

: a rapid sequence of punches in boxing

: any subset of a set considered without regard to order within the subset

: any of various one-piece undergarments for the upper and lower parts of the body

—usually used in plural

wore combinations in the winter to keep warm

: an instrument designed to perform two or more tasks

The tool is a jackknife and bottle opener combination.

: the act or process of combining

especially : that of uniting to form a chemical compound

The combination of these two chemicals can cause an explosion.

: the quality or state of being combined

combinational

ˌkäm-bə-ˈnā-shnəl

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Example Sentences

Water is a combination of hydrogen and oxygen. The car's interior is available in various color combinations. A combination of factors led to her decision. The milkshakes come in chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla, or any combination of these. He has the right combination of talent and experience. The combination of these two chemicals can cause an explosion. What is the combination to the safe? See More

Recent Examples on the Web Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology released a study back in March that found a combination of home charging and dynamic charging could make EV batteries 70 percent (or one-third) smaller. —

Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 May 2023 The Pacers entered Tuesday with just a 6.8% chance of landing the No. 1 pick -- and certainly using it on French phenom Victor Wembanyama -- but when the first three numbers were spit out, the Pacers had a combination with all three. —

Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 17 May 2023 Perhaps either Portland or Charlotte is enticed by a package including the No. 4 pick and then some combination of pick No. 20 in this draft and/or Brooklyn's first-round picks in 2024 and 2026. —

Michael Shapiro, Chron, 17 May 2023 But for most, homesteading is more about relying on a combination of self-sufficiency and a healthy dose of community dependency. —

Chris Moody, Anchorage Daily News, 16 May 2023 Dave Roberts isn’t so sure May 16, 2023 The Dodgers offense was just as flat, going two for 12 with runners in scoring position, the combination of a shaky start and a failure to hit in the clutch ending the team’s six-game win streak. —

Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2023 In fact, a combination of both will probably be necessary since covering up your face and hands with sun-protective clothing would be tough. —

Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 16 May 2023 This adaptation uses a combination of humor and horror to reimagine the vampire classic. —

Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 16 May 2023 None of us can see the future and all the roads and intersections to come, but one of the keys to personal success, in all its permutations and combinations, is unrelenting persistence. —

Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'combination.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see combine entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of combination was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Combination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combination. Accessed 28 May. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

combination

noun

com·bi·na·tion ˌkäm-bə-ˈnā-shən

: a result or product of combining

especially : a number of persons or groups joined together to achieve some end

: a connected series of letters or numbers chosen in setting a lock

: any of the possible subsets of a set without regard to the order of their elements

: the act or process of combining

especially : that of uniting to form a chemical compound

Legal Definition

combination

noun

com·bi·na·tion

: an alliance of individuals, states, or especially corporations united to achieve a common (as economic) end see also combination in restraint of trade compare joint venture sense 1, merger

: conspiracy