combat

[kuhm-bat, kom-bat, kuhm-, kom-bat, kuhm-]

verb (used with object)

combated, combating , combatted, combatting .

1. to fight or contend against; oppose vigorously.

   to combat crime.

   Synonyms: contest, struggle

verb (used without object)

combated, combating , combatted, combatting .

1. to battle; contend.

   to combat with disease.

   Synonyms: contest, struggle

noun

1. Military.,  active, armed fighting with enemy forces.

2. a fight, struggle, or controversy, as between two persons, teams, or ideas.

combat

noun

1. a fight, conflict, or struggle

2. 1. an action fought between two military forces

   2. ( as modifier )

      a combat jacket

3. a fight between two individuals; duel

4. fighting at close quarters

verb

1. (tr) to fight or defy

2. (intr; often foll by with or against) to struggle or strive (against); be in conflict (with)

   to combat against disease

Other Word Forms

• combatable adjective
• intercombat noun
• precombat noun
• self-combating adjective
• uncombatable adjective
• uncombated adjective
• combater noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of combat¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Middle French combat (noun), combattre (verb), from Late Latin combattere, from Latin com- com- + Late Latin battere, from Latin battuere “to strike, beat”

Word History and Origins

Origin of combat¹

C16: from French, from Old French combattre, from Vulgar Latin combattere (unattested), from Latin com- with + battuere to beat, hit

Synonym Study

See fight

Example Sentences

Ms. Williams and Ms. Grace at least get to engage in some low-level mother-daughter combat before things calm down.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Xi’s campaign, first launched in late 2012 to combat rampant corruption, has become a wave of ceaseless purges aimed at keeping officials loyal and on their toes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"Not only is economic aid lost, but also the institutional relationship between the two countries combating a shared threat."

Read more on BBC

Inaugurated in 1932, the marble cenotaph honours the memory of Greek soldiers fallen in combat.

Read more on Barron's

More than 100 firefighters and a hazardous materials team are working to combat a fire involving lithium ion batteries and prototype cars at General Motors’ design studio in Pasadena, authorities said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• action 
• conflict 
• contest 
• encounter 
• engagement 
• fight 
• fray 
• shootout 
• skirmish 
• struggle 
• war 
• warfare 

When To Use

What does combat mean?

Combat is most commonly used in a military context to refer to active fighting among opposing armies. To engage in combat is to engage in fighting.This kind of combat most commonly takes place on a battlefield or warzone on the ground (called a combat zone). Aerial combat involves fighting in the air among air forces.Hand-to-hand combat involves close fighting, often literally with one’s hands.Combat is often used as a modifier (adjective) in terms that refer to things related to or involving combat, such as combat training, combat medic, combat fatigue, and combat boots.Combat is sometimes used more broadly or figuratively to refer to active conflict between two people or groups, as in The two corporations are preparing to do combat in the courtroom. The term verbal combat refers to fighting with words.Combat is also commonly used as a verb meaning to oppose or work to defeat. It’s especially used when the thing to be defeated is intangible or abstract, as in We need to combat climate change or Our organization works to combat poverty. The figurative senses of the verbs fight and battle are close synonyms of this sense of combat.The sides engaging in combat can be called combatants. The adjective combative means inclined to fight.Example: The objective of basic training is to prepare our soldiers for combat.