combine

[kuhm-bahyn, kom-bahyn, kom-bahyn, kuhm-bahyn, kom-bahyn]

verb (used with object)

combined, combining 

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)

combined, combining 

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

Other Word Forms

• combiner noun
• intercombine verb (used with object)
• noncombining adjective
• precombine verb
• recombine verb
• recombiner noun
• uncombining adjective
• combinability noun
• combinable 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

He is cheered by management’s confidence that it can sustain a combined operating ratio at 92.5% in fiscal 2026, and points out that the company’s valuation looks much less stretched than in the past.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Lakers’ star guards went into overdrive to power the Lakers without LeBron James on Sunday, combining for 67 points and 15 assists as James missed the game with a right foot injury.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Together, these remains point to a balanced subsistence strategy that combined fishing, hunting, gathering, and farming.

Read more on Science Daily

This tension, combined with lingering uncertainty over the full impact of U.S. tariffs and the need for inflation expectations to become firmly anchored, has split views on when the BOJ will act next.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Such support, combined with a weak dollar and a potential Federal Reserve rate cut, means the global economy might stay on its feet in 2026, provided the AI boom doesn’t fizzle.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.