comb

1 of 3

noun

1
a
: a toothed instrument used especially for adjusting, cleaning, or confining hair
b
: a structure resembling such a comb
especially : any of several toothed devices used in handling or ordering textile fibers
c
2
a
: a fleshy crest on the head of the domestic chicken and other domestic birds
b
: something (such as the ridge of a roof) resembling the comb of a cock
3
combed adjective
comblike adjective

comb

2 of 3

verb

combed; combing; combs

transitive verb

1
: to draw a comb through for the purpose of arranging or cleaning
2
: to pass across with a scraping or raking action
3
a
: to eliminate (as with a comb) by a thorough going-over
b
: to search or examine systematically
police are combing the city
4
: to use in a combing action

intransitive verb

1
of a wave or its crest : to roll over or break into foam
2
: to make a thorough search
comb through the classified ads

comb

3 of 3

abbreviation

Examples of comb in a Sentence

Verb He combed back his hair. The wool is combed before being spun into yarn. We combed the beach for shells.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Aggressive brushing or grooming: Tugging at your hair with brushes and combs can cause hair to fall out more easily. Health, 26 June 2025 After your product is ready to go, grab a comb and part your hair into sections, starting with the oiliest ones first. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 18 June 2025
Verb
The event is the culmination of a monthslong production by wedding planners and, very likely, by teams of lawyers who have combed through the couple’s complex finances to create an ironclad prenuptial agreement. Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 27 June 2025 Personnel from the sheriff’s dive and search-and-rescue teams combed the area in search of the missing trio, with assistance from the California Highway Patrol and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Technical Rescue Team. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for comb

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English camb; akin to Old High German kamb comb, Greek gomphos tooth

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of comb was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Comb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comb. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

comb

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a toothed implement used to smooth and arrange the hair or worn in the hair to hold it in place
b
: a toothed instrument used for separating fibers (as of wool or flax)
2
: a fleshy crest on the head of the domestic chicken and some related birds
3
combed adjective

comb

2 of 2 verb
1
: to smooth, arrange, or untangle with a comb
comb one's hair
comb wool
2
: to go over or through carefully in search of something or someone
we combed the beach for shells

More from Merriam-Webster on comb

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