combine
Americanverb (used with object)
-
combines,
present (3rd person singular)
-
combined,
past participle, past
-
combining
present participle
-
to bring into or join in a close union or whole; unite.
She combined the ingredients to make the cake.
They combined the two companies.
- Synonyms:
- amalgamate, compound
- Antonyms:
- separate
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to possess or exhibit in union.
a plan that combines the best features of several other plans.
-
to harvest (grain) with a combine.
verb (used without object)
-
combines,
present (3rd person singular)
-
combined,
past participle, past
-
combining
present participle
-
to unite; coalesce.
The clay combined with the water to form a thick paste.
- Antonyms:
- separate
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to unite for a common purpose; join forces.
After the two factions combined, they proved invincible.
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to enter into chemical union.
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to use a combine in harvesting.
noun
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combines
plural
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a combination.
-
a combination of persons or groups for the furtherance of their political, commercial, or other interests, as a syndicate, cartel, or trust.
-
a harvesting machine for cutting and threshing grain in the field.
verb
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to integrate or cause to be integrated; join together
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to unite or cause to unite to form a chemical compound
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agriculture to harvest (crops) with a combine harvester
noun
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agriculture short for combine harvester
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an association of enterprises, esp in order to gain a monopoly of a market
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an association of business corporations, political parties, sporting clubs, etc, for a common purpose
Usage
What does combine mean? To combine means to join two or more things together into a single unit. When things are combined, they form combinations. Less commonly, combine can also be used as a noun to refer to several different things, especially a grain harvester and an event at which athletes showcase their skills. Example: At the draft combine, scouts are looking for a player who combines strength, agility, and intelligence in a single package.
Synonym Usage
See mix.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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combinabilitynoun
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combinernoun
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recombinernoun
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precombineverb
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recombineverb
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intercombineverb (used with object)
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combinableadjective
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noncombiningadjective
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uncombiningadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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combinesimple
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combinessimple
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have combinedperfect
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has combinedperfect
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am combiningprogressive
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are combiningprogressive
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is combiningprogressive
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have been combiningperfect progressive
-
has been combiningperfect progressive
Past
-
combinedsimple
-
had combinedperfect
-
was combiningprogressive
-
were combiningprogressive
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had been combiningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of combine
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English combinen, from Middle French combiner, from Late Latin combīnāre, equivalent to com- com- + -bīnāre, verb derived from bīnī “by twos” ( cf. binary)
Explanation
When you put things together, you combine them, creating one out of several. In some cases, the different items blend their properties and cannot be divided again, while in other cases the combined items can be picked out separately. In Latin, the prefix com- means "together," and bīnī means "two by two." These were combined to create the word combīnāre, or "to unite." Comedian Dave Attell offers a good use of the verb combine (cum-BINE): What're the two things they tell you are healthiest to eat? Chicken and fish. You know what you should do? Combine them, eat a penguin. Hiram Moore's combine (the noun is pronounced COM-bine) was a machine that combined reaping, binding, and threshing into one machine, saving farmers a lot of work.
Vocabulary lists containing combine
com-, con-
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Human Geography - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Comparing results across studies is also difficult because relatively few investigations combine biological findings with a detailed chemical analysis of the exact mulberry preparation being tested.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 30, 2026
Investment bank Piper Sandler has been in talks to combine with advisory firm Perella Weinberg Partners.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
Two hurricanes in the Pacific could combine with high tides to cause flooding and erosion at Southern California beaches early next week.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026
In a media release before the first round of fixtures, Disney said: "The Hangout will combine expert analysis with fresh perspectives and fan engagement."
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
That theory, quantum mechanics, will be described next, before we turn to the efforts to combine the two partial theories into a single quantum theory of gravity.
From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking
Paramount Chief Executive David Ellison has tapped HBO content chief Casey Bloys to oversee streaming operations once the company combines with Warner Bros.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
"In Japan it's not a problem, there's always product available," said Yusuke Takada, who combines Japanese ingredients with French cooking techniques in La Cime, Osaka.
From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026
If dynamic consensus building turns out to be widespread, it could help scientists better understand how the brain combines competing signals into a stable interpretation of the world.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 24, 2026
The judges said: "In a wonderfully quirky campus novel, Kennard combines an absurd experiment with a moving story about human frailty, passion, confusion and identity. There's something for everyone here."
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
She combines the brains of a businessman, the toughness of a prize fighter, the warmth of a companion, the humor of a tragedian.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
The same day, Ellison named Mattel Chief Executive Ynon Kreiz as co-CEO of the combined company once the merger closes.
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026
In his new role, Kreiz will be heavily involved in the day-to-day management as well as strategic planning and the integration of the combined businesses.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
The combined company must instead operate the historic facilities “in a manner consistent with past practices” for at least five years.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026
Gut microbiota from mice that had received the combined mulberry fraction were transferred to other animals.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 30, 2026
The Pletts Cryptograph raised the bar because it combined two keyword ciphers.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
They also signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding outlining a planned agreement to conduct clinical trials combining ivonescimab with several of AstraZeneca’s cancer medicines in a range of clinical trials.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
The company holds Christian events combining worship, motivational speakers and financial education under a mission it calls “Kingdom Impact.”
From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2026
"Net gains in biodiversity and carbon storage were only achieved when both avoidance interventions were implemented. However, combining all three interventions delivered even greater gains," said Dr. Miranda.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 21, 2026
The first failure this month was attributed to a previously undetected software flaw, which had an impact due to a very specific set of circumstances combining in a millisecond.
From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026
They named the property Marianna Farm, combining Marian’s name and her mother’s, and stocked the place with a collection of farm animals that included horses and cows, chickens, pigs, and sheep.
From "The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights" by Russell Freedman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
