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)

• associate
• coalesce
• conjoin
• conjugate
• connect
• couple
• fuse
• interfuse
• join
• link (up)
• marry
• unify
• unite

Noun

• cartel
• combination
• syndicate
• trust

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

Every dish is a mandate of contrasting textures and flavors, and to that end many of those components needed to be combined at the very last minute. —Brock Keeling, Orange County Register, 11 Apr. 2024

The strategy to combine Showtime with Paramount+ is similar to Warner Bros. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024

Add the tomatoes, paprika, saffron, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper and stir to combine. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024

Once implemented and combined with another EPA rule issued last month restricting ethylene oxide emissions from commercial sterilization facilities, the new rule will reduce ethylene oxide and chloroprene emissions by nearly 80%, according to the agency. —USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024

In the future, engineers want to combine both virtual and real-time reinforcement training for their bots. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2024

Strong economic growth combined with low unemployment and low inflation is pretty much an ideal outcome for any policymaker. —John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2024

Texas’ payroll is $229 million, a sum buoyed by 2022 free agents Corey Seager (10 years, $325 million) and Marcus Semien (seven years, $175 million) and 2023 pitching additions Nathan Eovaldi and John Gray ($90 million combined) a year ago. —Jack Magruder, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024

Cetin said the preferred design is an amalgamation of the three concepts, using the public input received to combine preferred features from each design. —Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2024

Noun

Cade Stover, Ohio State: All-around prospect who measured 6-4 and 247 at the combine. —Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2024

Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson Wiggins’ 4.28 40-yard dash time was the fastest among defensive players at the combine. —Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2024

That puts him in a unique position among all the top prospects gathered in Indianapolis this week for the league’s scouting combine. —Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024

Both would be strong times for the defensive back who measured in at 5-10 and 209 pounds at the combine in Indianapolis last month. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2024

Alt cemented his elite status at the combine in Indy. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024

General manager John Lynch defended Feliciano to reporters at the NFL scouting combine, so re-signing Feliciano is an option, but so is the possibility of bringing in an upgrade. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024

The combine has been in Indianapolis since 1987, though there is frequent discussion of taking it to other cities, the way the NFL does with its draft. —Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Jan. 2024

The new treat combine's Wendy’s vanilla Frosty with orange cream. —Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024

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