combination

American  

[kom-buh-nay-shuhn] / ˌkɒm bəˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

• combinations
  plural

1. the act of combining or the state of being combined.

   Synonyms:

   coalescence, union, conjunction, association

2. a number of things combined.

   a combination of ideas.

   Synonyms:

   amalgam, amalgamation, mixture

3. something formed by combining.

   A chord is a combination of notes.

4. an alliance of persons or parties.

   a combination in restraint of trade.

   Synonyms:

   conspiracy, cabal, bloc, monopoly, combine, cartel, coalition, league, federation, association

5. the set or series of numbers or letters used in setting the mechanism of a combination lock.

6. the parts of the mechanism operated by this.

7. Often combinations. a suit of underwear in one piece.

8. Mathematics.

   1. the arrangement of elements into various groups without regard to their order in the group.

   2. a group thus formed.

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combination British  

/ ˌkɒmbɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of combining or state of being combined

2. a union of separate parts, qualities, etc

3. an alliance of people or parties; group having a common purpose

4. 1. the set of numbers that opens a combination lock

   2. the mechanism of this type of lock

5. a motorcycle with a sidecar attached

6. maths

   1. an arrangement of the numbers, terms, etc, of a set into specified groups without regard to order in the group

      the combinations of a, b, and c, taken two at a time, are ab, bc, ac

   2. a group formed in this way. The number of combinations of n objects taken r at a time is n !/[( n – r )! r !]. Symbol: n C r Compare permutation

7. the chemical reaction of two or more compounds, usually to form one other compound

8. chess a tactical manoeuvre involving a sequence of moves and more than one piece

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• intercombination
  noun
• noncombination
  noun
• precombination
  noun
• supercombination
  noun
• combinational
  adjective
• uncombinational
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• combinations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of combination

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English combinacyoun, from Middle French, from Late Latin combīnātiōn-, stem of combīnātiō “a joining by twos,” equivalent to combīnāt(us) “combined,” literally, “joined by twos” (past participle of combīnāre; see combine) + -iō -ion

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Explanation

A combination is a grouping together of separate things. Your desire to live to a big city might come from a combination of your dreams of being on stage, and your obsession with underground trains. Combination is the act of combining, which comes from the Latin for "joining together two by two," although it's not necessary that you combine things in pairs. Your famous party mix might be a combination of pretzels, nuts, and espresso beans. Your locker combination is the set of numbers you have to dial to open the lock. If you plan to go on a TV talent show, get ready to learn some dance combinations. Kick, spin, drop, roll!

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

combination combinations

Alex Lane said the site used to have around 500 birds in its captive collection - but, a combination of Brexit and avian influenza means today, there are fewer than 100.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

This combination improved the treatment's ability to stimulate a broader antitumor response.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

Now, Johnson’s Pasadena residence is seeking a buyer willing to pay nearly $3.3 million for its combination of contemporary architecture, flexible living spaces, and resort-inspired amenities.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 15, 2026

In May, the company announced that mezigdomide in combination with other treatments led to patients living 18 months without progression, versus eight months in those on existing treatments.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

The panel rolled away and revealed a tall steel door with a combination lock right above a thick metal handle.

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein

Only one of the four possible combinations of answers centers on birth year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

Walton appeared on Steve Harvey's television show aged 11 to showcase his boxing ability, throwing combinations on the pads before also demonstrating his gymnastics skills with a backflip.

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

That process could help explain why large objects do not remain in the strange combinations of states allowed by quantum mechanics, such as the dead-and-alive situation imagined in Schrödinger's cat thought experiment.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 21, 2026

"It can look about a second, or so, ahead into the future for 20,000 different kind of combinations of things that might happen," Storey explains.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

Geoffroy’s twenty-four substances thus survive even when they are combined with other substances: they are not transmuted when they enter into such combinations.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

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Related Words

• combo
• consolidation
• merger
• mix
• sequence
• solution

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