combine

1 of 3

verb (1)

com·​bine kəm-ˈbīn 

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

kəm-ˈbī-nə-bəl 

adjective

combiner noun

combine

2 of 3

noun

com·​bine ˈkäm-ˌbīn 

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 

combined; combining

transitive verb

: to harvest with a combine

intransitive verb

: to combine a crop

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• connect
• unite
• fuse
• join
• unify

Noun

• cartel
• syndicate
• partnership
• conglomerate
• combination

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

Verb (1)

the room's highly varied design elements combine to form a harmonious whole

combine the sugar and flour in a bowl

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

The configuration combines to produce 200 horsepower. —James Raia, Mercury News, 22 June 2025

This gentle yet effective face wash combines the clarifying power of tea tree oil with salicylic acid to keep breakouts at bay without stripping your skin. —Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 22 June 2025

Noun

For Riessen, this proved critical after her combine (also called a harvester) needed $80,000 worth of repairs. —Carrie Lukas, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

One chin-up session mimicked the combine test: maximum reps before failure. —Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 31 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing combine

• join/combine forces

Kids Definition

combine

1 of 2 verb

com·​bine kəm-ˈbīn 

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

-ˈbī-nə-bəl 

adjective

combiner noun

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

transitive verb

: to cause to unite into a chemical compound

intransitive verb

: to unite to form a chemical compound

combination

ˌkäm-bə-ˈnā-shən 

noun