combination

noun

com·​bi·​na·​tion ˌkäm-bə-ˈnā-shən 

often attributive

1

a

: 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

b

: two or more persons working as a team

Together they are a winning combination.

2

: an ordered sequence: such as

a

: 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

b

: a rapid sequence of punches in boxing

c

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

3

: 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

4

: an instrument designed to perform two or more tasks

The tool is a jackknife and bottle opener combination.

5

a

: 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.

b

: the quality or state of being combined

combinational

ˌkäm-bə-ˈnā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• admixture
• alloy
• amalgam
• amalgamation
• blend
• cocktail
• composite
• compound
• conflation
• emulsion
• fusion
• intermixture
• meld
• mix
• mixture
• synthesis

Examples of combination in a Sentence

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?

Recent Examples on the Web

Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability. —Dan Avery, CNBC, 9 May 2025

That combination makes this year’s loans especially expensive. —Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

Davies judges the panelists based on a combination of in-studio and on-location challenges. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025

The report evaluated each location based on a combination of factors including the costs of dining, everyday expenses, airfare, hotels, and vacation rentals for two adults, as well as how much pricing changes from season to season—plus how walkable each destination is. —Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

see combine entry 1

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing combination

• combination lock
• combination shot
• combination therapy
• in combination
• in combination with
• linear combination
• winning combination

Rhymes for combination

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

combination

noun

com·​bi·​na·​tion ˌkäm-bə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: a result or product of combining

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

2

a

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

b

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

3

: the act or process of combining

especially : that of uniting to form a chemical compound

Legal Definition

combination

noun

com·​bi·​na·​tion

1

a

: 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

b

: conspiracy

2

: a union of old or new elements or parts that is patentable because it produces a new and useful result compare aggregation sense 2, equivalent