combine

1 of 3

verb (1)

com·​bine kəm-ˈbīn How to pronounce combine (audio)
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 adjective
combiner noun

combine

2 of 3

noun

com·​bine ˈkäm-ˌbīn How to pronounce combine (audio)
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 How to pronounce combine (audio)
combined; combining

transitive verb

: to harvest with a combine

intransitive verb

: to combine a crop
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
Yet Designers agree that grunge coquette, like other styles that combine opposing elements (fairy grunge, dark Americana, and more) showcases the desire people have to unapologetically express themselves through decor. Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2024 The red sauces, Marinara, Spicy Arrabbiata and Spicy Vodka, are easy to like combined with pasta or over dishes like eggplant Parm. Florence Fabricant, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 But, in my years-long search for the perfect, travel-friendly sneakers that combine comfort, style, and versatility, only one pair has passed the test: the Kizik Prague Slip-On Shoes. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2024 All customers have to do is make a purchase of at least $1 to get the breakfast sandwich, which combines a sausage patty, bacon or ham with eggs and American cheese on a croissant. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 To comply, Meta is making changes, like allowing users to separate their Facebook and Instagram accounts so personal information can't be combined to target them with online ads. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2024 On this Super Tuesday, Bankhead’s vote — combined with early votes cast Feb. 15 to Saturday — will guide top-of-the ballot presidential and gubernatorial races and determine each party’s nominees for county commission, the state legislature and Congress. Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2024 All combine clarity of construction, riveting detail and ravishing color. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024 The course proposal says this class combines elements of physics, chemistry and engineering and will open students' eyes to career opportunities in aerospace, electronics, sports equipment, medicine and other STEM fields. The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024
Noun
Alt cemented his elite status at the combine in Indy. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 Miami met at the combine with Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson, a popular mock draft pick. Daniel Oyefusi, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2024 Macdonald, like Shanahan, is among the 12 coaches not slated to speak at the combine. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2024 Get The Recipe 14 of 17 Hashbrown Casserole Cheddar, hash browns, sour cream, and a buttery cornflake topping combine with other pantry staples to make the ultimate comfort casserole. Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 2 Feb. 2024 And there is no place better than the team bus at the combine in Indianapolis. Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2024 As has been their custom the last few years, McVay and Snead will be absent from next week’s NFL scouting combine. Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024 One way or another, if Maye impresses in field drills and interviews at the combine next week, he should be selected fairly quickly on Day 1. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2024 The grandiosity of the song’s production — built almost exclusively around Moody’s sultry guitar — evokes the most stirring of James Bond themes, while the duo’s expansive combine vocal ranges trade off fluttery falsettos with robust full-voice crooning. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'combine.' 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of combine was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near combine

Cite this Entry

“Combine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combine. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

combine

1 of 2 verb
com·​bine kəm-ˈbīn How to pronounce combine (audio)
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 adjective
combiner noun

combine

2 of 2 noun
com·​bine ˈkäm-ˌbīn How to pronounce combine (audio)
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 How to pronounce combine (audio)
combined; combining

transitive verb

: to cause to unite into a chemical compound

intransitive verb

: to unite to form a chemical compound
combination noun

More from Merriam-Webster on combine

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