combined; combining
1
a
: to bring into such close relationship as to obscure individual characters : merge
two companies combining forces
b
: to cause to unite into a chemical compound
combining hydrofluoric acid with soda ash to form sodium fluoride
c
: to unite into a single number or expression
Combine fractions and simplify.
3
: to possess in combination
a writer whose works combine imagination and scholarship
1
a
: to become one
The two newspapers combined as the Chronicle.
b
: to unite to form a chemical compound
2
: to act together
Many factors combined to cause the recession.
Wolves combine in their hunt for deer.
combiner
noun
plural combines
1
a
: a combination especially of business or political interests
… Grumman Corp. lost the advanced tactical aircraft contract to the combine of McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics.—
George J. Church
George J. Church
b
: an event at which scouts from the teams in a professional sports league gather to evaluate players in preparation for choosing which players to draft
a scouting combine
Every spring the National Football League conducts that most cherished of American rituals, the college draft. A couple of months before the event, prospective players show off their abilities in an athletic audition known as the combine.—Carl Zimmer
Carl Zimmer2
: a harvesting machine that heads, threshes, and cleans grain while moving over a field
combined; combining
: to harvest with a combine
: to combine a crop
Synonyms
Examples of combine in a Sentence
Noun
The teams belong to a combine that scouts new players.
charged that the cable companies had formed an illegal combine for the purpose of keeping rates artificially high
Recent Examples on the WebMichael Gehlken, Dallas News, 11 Sep. 2023
The incident — combined with police officers’ early attempts to twist the facts of the deadly encounter before video evidence refuted their claims and laid bare that a murder had occurred — became a symbolic moment, which sparked protests and civil unrest throughout France that lasted for weeks.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Sep. 2023
Officers have faced more gun threats in 2023 than the previous two years combined, according to data maintained by the department’s homicide unit.
—Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2023
Transfer to a bowl and stir in sugar and butter until well combined.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 10 Sep. 2023
Nick Chubb rushed for 106 yards on 18 carries as the Browns combined for 206 yards on the ground.
—Tim Bielik, cleveland, 10 Sep. 2023
That quartet combined for five home runs, two by McCann, in a 13-12 victory over the Boston Red Sox, an offensive output that helped cover for another poor start from trade acquisition Jack Flaherty and a shaky night for the Orioles’ bullpen and defense.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 10 Sep. 2023
In all six losses combined, the Blazers allowed an average of 42.5 points while averaging 20.8 points themselves.
—Evan Dudley, al, 9 Sep. 2023
This, combined with the thin wrist strap, makes this paracord bracelet one of the most fashionable choices.
—Tom Price, Popular Mechanics, 30 Aug. 2023
Nicole Yang, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Aug. 2023
The start-up developed and tested three big mining machines, each the size of a combine harvester and weighing about six metric tons, which quickly came to symbolize the damage industry could impose on the ocean floor.
—Olive Heffernan, Scientific American, 15 Aug. 2023
Hydrogen fuel cells, which use a combine of hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, are an alternative to combustion engines for large commercial trucks — the equivalent of what lithium-ion battery packs have done with passenger vehicles.
—Zachary Hansen, ajc, 7 Aug. 2023
Carefully crafted with a full-spectrum hemp extract, this high-quality oil combines naturally occurring cannabinoids with premium oils and all-natural flavors to deliver the best possible treatment.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Aug. 2023
Forbes ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds at the NFL scouting combine.
—Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 16 Aug. 2023
At 6-6, 253 pounds, Musgrave ran a 4.61 40 at the NFL scouting combine in February.
—Usa Today Network, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2023
Prosper arrived at the NBA’s scouting combine in mid-May as ESPN’s No. 56 prospect, but his standout testing and scrimmage results started to fuel his rise.
—Callie Caplan, Dallas News, 23 June 2023
Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting, said at the recent combine that Regina Pats center Bedard and Hobey Baker Award winner Adam Fantilli could end up having the same impact in the NHL as Edmonton Oilers stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
—Mike Brehm, USA TODAY, 27 June 2023
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Verb
Cornerback Stephon Gilmore added an interception that led to a touchdown, and five Cowboys players combined for seven sacks.
—Michael Gehlken, Dallas News, 11 Sep. 2023
The incident — combined with police officers’ early attempts to twist the facts of the deadly encounter before video evidence refuted their claims and laid bare that a murder had occurred — became a symbolic moment, which sparked protests and civil unrest throughout France that lasted for weeks.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Sep. 2023
Officers have faced more gun threats in 2023 than the previous two years combined, according to data maintained by the department’s homicide unit.
—Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2023
Transfer to a bowl and stir in sugar and butter until well combined.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 10 Sep. 2023
Nick Chubb rushed for 106 yards on 18 carries as the Browns combined for 206 yards on the ground.
—Tim Bielik, cleveland, 10 Sep. 2023
That quartet combined for five home runs, two by McCann, in a 13-12 victory over the Boston Red Sox, an offensive output that helped cover for another poor start from trade acquisition Jack Flaherty and a shaky night for the Orioles’ bullpen and defense.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 10 Sep. 2023
In all six losses combined, the Blazers allowed an average of 42.5 points while averaging 20.8 points themselves.
—Evan Dudley, al, 9 Sep. 2023
This, combined with the thin wrist strap, makes this paracord bracelet one of the most fashionable choices.
—Tom Price, Popular Mechanics, 30 Aug. 2023
Noun
Strong, a fourth-round draft pick in 2022, ran the fastest 40-yard dash among running back prospects at the combine.
—Nicole Yang, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Aug. 2023
The start-up developed and tested three big mining machines, each the size of a combine harvester and weighing about six metric tons, which quickly came to symbolize the damage industry could impose on the ocean floor.
—Olive Heffernan, Scientific American, 15 Aug. 2023
Hydrogen fuel cells, which use a combine of hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, are an alternative to combustion engines for large commercial trucks — the equivalent of what lithium-ion battery packs have done with passenger vehicles.
—Zachary Hansen, ajc, 7 Aug. 2023
Carefully crafted with a full-spectrum hemp extract, this high-quality oil combines naturally occurring cannabinoids with premium oils and all-natural flavors to deliver the best possible treatment.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Aug. 2023
Forbes ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds at the NFL scouting combine.
—Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 16 Aug. 2023
At 6-6, 253 pounds, Musgrave ran a 4.61 40 at the NFL scouting combine in February.
—Usa Today Network, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2023
Prosper arrived at the NBA’s scouting combine in mid-May as ESPN’s No. 56 prospect, but his standout testing and scrimmage results started to fuel his rise.
—Callie Caplan, Dallas News, 23 June 2023
Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting, said at the recent combine that Regina Pats center Bedard and Hobey Baker Award winner Adam Fantilli could end up having the same impact in the NHL as Edmonton Oilers stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
—Mike Brehm, USA TODAY, 27 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'combine.' 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
Verb (1) and Noun
Middle English, from Middle French combiner, from Late Latin combinare, from Latin com- + bini two by two — more at bin-
First Known Use
Verb (1)
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun
1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb (2)
1926, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Time Traveler
The first known use of combine was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing combine
Dictionary Entries Near combine
Cite this Entry
“Combine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combine. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
combine
2 of 2 noun
com·bine
ˈkäm-ˌbīn 
1
: a union of persons or groups especially for business or political benefits
2
: a machine that harvests, threshes, and cleans grain while moving over a field
Medical Definition
combine
verb
com·bine
kəm-ˈbīn
combined; combining
: to cause to unite into a chemical compound
: to unite to form a chemical compound
More from Merriam-Webster on combine
Nglish: Translation of combine for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of combine for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about combine
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