combine

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

Synonyms of combine

• cartel
• syndicate
• partnership
• conglomerate
• combination

Examples of combine in a Sentence

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

By the time the combine’s midweek scrimmages take place, there seems to be no more data to collect. —Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 4 June 2026

At Miraval Berkshires—as at the properties in Austin and Arizona—science and the philosophy of well-being combine in a way that is changing the concept of high-end hospitality in a high-pressured world. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 June 2026

The combine probably looms large for him as well. —Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 3 June 2026

During the combine, Grier will also get a chance to connect with his counterparts from other organizations to further discuss potential trades. —Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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