combination
noun
com·bi·na·tion
ˌkäm-bə-ˈnā-shən 
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
Synonyms
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
The 6-3, 212-pound receiver has a great size-speed combination (4.44-second 40-yard dash), and his ability to obtain jump-ball passes should be helpful to Young, especially in the red zone.
—
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2024
Yet Biden, in that phone call late Saturday night, told Netanyahu to take the win; to be thrilled that the unique combination of allies, including even Saudi Arabia, protected Israel.
—Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, TIME, 15 Apr. 2024
To the right of the foyer, the circular combination living and dining room has a 36-foot diameter, and at 1,100 square feet (larger than most New York City apartments!), there’s plenty of space to accommodate a billiards table, a small desk, and a bar, along with ample lounging and dining areas.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2024
The university should identify $7 million to $9 million though a combination of revenue-generation actions and cost-savings decisions soon.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024
Watson’s size/speed combination and production are impressive.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
At 60, Parks carries herself with the energy of someone half her age, her presence a combination of gravitas and lightness, wisdom and childlike exuberance.
—Imani Perry Janina Edwards Krish Seenivasan Devin Murphy, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Tehran’s decision-making seems driven by a combination of factors.
—Javed Ali, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2024
Southern California home prices hit a record in March amid sky-high mortgage interest rates, a combination that’s creating the most unaffordable housing market in a generation.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2024
Yet Biden, in that phone call late Saturday night, told Netanyahu to take the win; to be thrilled that the unique combination of allies, including even Saudi Arabia, protected Israel.
—Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, TIME, 15 Apr. 2024
To the right of the foyer, the circular combination living and dining room has a 36-foot diameter, and at 1,100 square feet (larger than most New York City apartments!), there’s plenty of space to accommodate a billiards table, a small desk, and a bar, along with ample lounging and dining areas.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2024
The university should identify $7 million to $9 million though a combination of revenue-generation actions and cost-savings decisions soon.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024
Watson’s size/speed combination and production are impressive.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
At 60, Parks carries herself with the energy of someone half her age, her presence a combination of gravitas and lightness, wisdom and childlike exuberance.
—Imani Perry Janina Edwards Krish Seenivasan Devin Murphy, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Tehran’s decision-making seems driven by a combination of factors.
—Javed Ali, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2024
Southern California home prices hit a record in March amid sky-high mortgage interest rates, a combination that’s creating the most unaffordable housing market in a generation.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near combination
Cite this Entry
“Combination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combination. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
combination
noun
com·bi·na·tion
ˌkäm-bə-ˈnā-shən
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
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