combination

noun

com·​bi·​na·​tion ˌkäm-bə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce combination (audio)
often attributive
1
a
: a result or product of combining
Water is a combination of hydrogen and oxygen.
especially : an alliance of individuals, corporations, or states united to achieve a social, political, or economic end
b
: two or more persons working as a team
Together they are a winning combination.
2
: an ordered sequence: such as
a
: a sequence of letters or numbers chosen in setting a lock
What is the combination to the safe?
also : the mechanism operating or moved by the sequence
b
: a rapid sequence of punches in boxing
c
: any subset of a set considered without regard to order within the subset
3
: any of various one-piece undergarments for the upper and lower parts of the body
usually used in plural
wore combinations in the winter to keep warm
4
: an instrument designed to perform two or more tasks
The tool is a jackknife and bottle opener combination.
5
a
: the act or process of combining
especially : that of uniting to form a chemical compound
The combination of these two chemicals can cause an explosion.
b
: the quality or state of being combined
combinational adjective

Examples of combination in a Sentence

Water is a combination of hydrogen and oxygen. The car's interior is available in various color combinations. A combination of factors led to her decision. The milkshakes come in chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla, or any combination of these. He has the right combination of talent and experience. The combination of these two chemicals can cause an explosion. What is the combination to the safe?
Recent Examples on the Web Learn more about changing your hydrangea's color, whether pink, blue, purple or a combination, with this guide. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024 Some inevitable combination of bureaucracy, human fallibility, and mathematical law keeps things bland: each time, the curators settle on sixty or a hundred or, this year, seventy-one artists whose creations have some relevance to the state of society, as well as to the state of art. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2024 At the moment, my favorite combination is lavender and sandalwood. Debra Edwards, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024 If one is a combination kitchen/living room, the rest can be bedrooms. Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Maye’s prototypical size (6-4, 223), elite arm talent and ability as a runner are the combination of tools teams normally don’t pass on. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024 Their combination of sprightly cuteness, small size and determination — they were originally bred to roust badgers — endear them to many. Jennifer Peltz, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024 The guidelines recommend 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, 75 to 100 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, or an equivalent combination of both types of exercise. Kaitlin Vogel, Health, 20 Mar. 2024 It’s made from a French Terry knit that has the perfect combination of comfort and heft—not too stiff, not too flimsy, but just right. Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'combination.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see combine entry 1

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of combination was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near combination

Cite this Entry

“Combination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combination. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

combination

noun
com·​bi·​na·​tion ˌkäm-bə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce combination (audio)
1
: a result or product of combining
especially : a number of persons or groups joined together to achieve some end
2
a
: a connected series of letters or numbers chosen in setting a lock
b
: any of the possible subsets of a set without regard to the order of their elements
3
: the act or process of combining
especially : that of uniting to form a chemical compound

Legal Definition

combination

noun
com·​bi·​na·​tion
1
a
: an alliance of individuals, states, or especially corporations united to achieve a common (as economic) end see also combination in restraint of trade compare joint venture sense 1, merger
2
: a union of old or new elements or parts that is patentable because it produces a new and useful result compare aggregation sense 2, equivalent

More from Merriam-Webster on combination

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