recombine

verb

re·​com·​bine ˌrē-kəm-ˈbīn How to pronounce recombine (audio)
recombined; recombining; recombines

transitive verb

1
: to combine again or anew
2
: to cause to undergo recombination

intransitive verb

: to undergo recombination

Examples of recombine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Another concern of his: the possibility of COVID recombining with another coronavirus in animals, then transitioning back over to humans—throwing another viral plot twist into the pandemic’s narrative. Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 8 Jan. 2024 Adding emulsifiers like lecithin forms smaller droplets and helps prevent them from recombining, resulting in a chewier, longer-lasting confection. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 12 Sep. 2023 But nobody who was in my life would be able to track any of the characters because they are recombined from sentences about lots of different people turned into one character. Erik Pedersen, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2024 Flu fears Although the current data is comforting, virologists and epidemiologists still fear the potential for flu viruses, such as bird flu, to mutate and recombine into a human-infecting virus with pandemic potential. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 24 Jan. 2023 In this window, the electrons and holes can recombine into outgoing radiation. Sid Assawaworrarit, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2023 In the 1980s, multiple theorists determined that splitting and recombining the electron’s identities with such perfection would be as unfeasible as reconstructing Humpty Dumpty after his great fall from the wall. Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 6 Dec. 2023 When the cell is exposed to a colder body, electrons and holes in the cell recombine into outgoing radiation, and the cell develops a negative voltage potential. Sid Assawaworrarit, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2023 On the other side of the membrane, the protons recombine with electrons to form pure hydrogen. IEEE Spectrum, 12 June 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of recombine was in 1619

Dictionary Entries Near recombine

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

recombine

verb
re·​com·​bine ˌrē-kəm-ˈbīn How to pronounce recombine (audio)
1
: to combine again or anew
2
: to undergo or cause to undergo recombination

Medical Definition

recombine

verb
re·​com·​bine ˌrē-kəm-ˈbīn How to pronounce recombine (audio)
recombined; recombining

transitive verb

: to cause to undergo recombination

More from Merriam-Webster on recombine

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