combine

1 of 3

verb (1)

com·​bine kəm-ˈbīn How to pronounce combine (audio)
combined; combining

transitive verb

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.
2
: intermix, blend
Combine the sugar and flour.
3
: to possess in combination
a writer whose works combine imagination and scholarship

intransitive verb

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.
combinable adjective
combiner noun

combine

2 of 3

noun

com·​bine ˈkäm-ˌbīn How to pronounce combine (audio)
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
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
2
: a harvesting machine that heads, threshes, and cleans grain while moving over a field

combine

3 of 3

verb (2)

com·​bine ˈkäm-ˌbīn How to pronounce combine (audio)
combined; combining

transitive verb

: to harvest with a combine

intransitive verb

: to combine a crop
Choose the Right Synonym for combine

join, combine, unite, connect, link, associate, relate mean to bring or come together into some manner of union.

join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness.

joined forces in an effort to win

combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit.

combined jazz and rock to create a new music

unite implies somewhat greater loss of separate identity.

the colonies united to form a republic

connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity.

a name forever linked with liberty

associate stresses the mere fact of frequent occurrence or existence together in space or in logical relation.

opera is popularly associated with high society

relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

related what he observed to what he already knew

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 Web
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

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.

Kids Definition

combine

1 of 2 verb
com·​bine kəm-ˈbīn How to pronounce combine (audio)
combined; combining
1
: to bring into close relationship : unify
2
: to mix together so that the identity of each part is lost
combine the ingredients of a recipe
3
a
: to become one
b
: to unite to form a chemical compound
combinable adjective
combiner noun

combine

2 of 2 noun
com·​bine ˈkäm-ˌbīn How to pronounce combine (audio)
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 How to pronounce combine (audio)
combined; combining

transitive verb

: to cause to unite into a chemical compound

intransitive verb

: to unite to form a chemical compound
combination noun

More from Merriam-Webster on combine

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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