plural combs
1
a
: a flat piece of plastic or metal with a row of thin teeth that is used for making hair neat
b
: a device that is used for separating or straightening fibers (such as wool fibers)
2
: a soft part on top of the head of some birds (such as chickens)
Roosters have red combs.
3
combs; combed; combing
1
: to smooth, arrange, or separate (hair or fibers) with a comb
Go comb your hair.
He combed back his hair.
The wool is combed before being spun into yarn.
2
: to search (something) very thoroughly in order to find something
We combed the beach for shells.
—usually + throughThey got the information by combing through old records.
Cite this Entry
“Comb.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/comb. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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