combine

[ verb kuhm-bahyn kom-bahyn noun kom-bahyn, kuhm-bahyn kom-bahyn ]

verb (used with object)

, com·bined, com·bin·ing.

1. 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

2. to possess or exhibit in union:

   a plan that combines the best features of several other plans.

3. to harvest (grain) with a combine.

verb (used without object)

, com·bined, com·bin·ing.

1. to unite; coalesce:

   The clay combined with the water to form a thick paste.

   Antonyms: separate

2. to unite for a common purpose; join forces:

   After the two factions combined, they proved invincible.

3. to enter into chemical union.
4. to use a combine in harvesting.

noun

1. a combination.
2. a combination of persons or groups for the furtherance of their political, commercial, or other interests, as a syndicate, cartel, or trust.

   Synonyms: bloc, alignment, monopoly, merger

3. a harvesting machine for cutting and threshing grain in the field.

combine

verb

1. to integrate or cause to be integrated; join together
2. to unite or cause to unite to form a chemical compound
3. agriculture to harvest (crops) with a combine harvester

noun

1. agriculture short for combine harvester
2. an association of enterprises, esp in order to gain a monopoly of a market
3. an association of business corporations, political parties, sporting clubs, etc, for a common purpose

Derived Forms

• comˌbinaˈbility, noun
• comˈbiner, noun
• comˈbinable, adjective

Other Words From

• com·biner noun
• inter·com·bine verb (used with object) intercombined intercombining
• noncom·bining adjective
• precom·bine verb precombined precombining
• recom·bine verb recombined recombining
• recom·biner noun
• uncom·bining adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of combine¹

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” ( binary )

Word History and Origins

Origin of combine¹

C15: from Late Latin combīnāre, from Latin com- together + bīnī two by two

Synonym Study

See mix.

Example Sentences

There is a real challenger to Etiwanda’s supremacy in Ontario Christian, which picked up two elite freshmen in 6-6 Sydney Douglas and 5-11 Tatianna Griffin to combine with sophomore sensation Kaleena Smith, who averaged 34.9 points as a freshman.

From Los Angeles Times

The decision to combine previously recorded versions of the single cleverly sidesteps similar risks, while still raising money and marking the charity's 40th anniversary.

From BBC

The answer to that question is a resounding “Yes,” but comes with a twist — the romance does not last, as the latter’s privileged background and thirst for revenge combine to make her a more-than-willing instrument for totalitarianism.

From Salon

Sasha Boole: For more than 10 years, I was doing country and western folk music in Ukraine, trying to combine that with the Ukrainian soul and find new formulas.

From Los Angeles Times

A UN committee on finance, external tried to combine all these estimates and earlier this year put the number as high as $6.9tn.

From BBC

Related Words

• associate
• blend
• couple
• fuse
• incorporate
• link
• merge
• mix