combination

American  

[kom-buh-ney-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

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

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

And replacing Diablo’s steady power with a combination of solar and batteries would be technically possible but increasingly expensive, particularly during the periods of highest demand, he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

Staffed by a combination of HSI experts and outside consultants, it developed software tools to comb the data for information that could help agents pursue criminal suspects.

From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026

With the completion of its central tower—more than 140 years after the project began—the Barcelona basilica’s spectacular combination of the architect’s unique style and the contributions of subsequent artists is clearer than ever.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

The combination of pretax savings at a higher tax bracket and a tax bill at a lower tax bracket sets up what Chancey called “a discount Roth conversion.”

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

It was at that moment that she heard the far-off sound of a car approaching, and Daddy’s face shifted, a combination of rage and sadness twisting his features.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

Their goal was to understand how people first learn the value of different options in clearly defined situations and which options they later favor when those choices are presented in new combinations.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 13, 2026

BlackRock TCP Capital hired investment bank Keefe, Bruyette & Woods to weigh further options, such as strategic combinations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

While many users take multiple peptides together in custom combinations, or “stacks,” there is no data on how different synthetic peptides interact with one another.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

There, users discussed different “stacks,” or combinations of peptides, to reduce body fat and achieve muscle growth.

From Slate ● Jul. 29, 2026

Simple combinatorial mathematics yielded twenty-seven unique combinations of these six gene variants.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Related Words

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