combination

[ kom-buh-ney-shuhn ]

/ ˌkɒm bəˈneɪ ʃən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR combination ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of combining or the state of being combined.

a number of things combined: a combination of ideas.

something formed by combining: A chord is a combination of notes.

an alliance of persons or parties: a combination in restraint of trade.

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

the parts of the mechanism operated by this.

Often combinations. a suit of underwear in one piece.

Mathematics.

the arrangement of elements into various groups without regard to their order in the group.
a group thus formed.Compare permutation(def 1).

Nearby words

combe-capelle man, combed yarn, comber, comber board, combinable, combination, combination calculus, combination door, combination drug, combination last, combination lock

Origin of combination

1350–1400; Middle English combinacyoun (< Middle French) < Late Latin combīnātiōn- (stem of combīnātiō), equivalent to combīnāt(us) combined (see combine, -ate¹) + -iōn- -ion

SYNONYMS FOR combination

1 association, conjunction, union, coalescence, blending.

2 mixture, amalgamation, amalgam.

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

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR combination ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

com·bi·na·tion·al, adjectivein·ter·com·bi·na·tion, nounnon·com·bi·na·tion, nounpre·com·bi·na·tion, noun

su·per·com·bi·na·tion, nounun·com·bi·na·tion·al, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for combination

He uses some combination of the words comfort or discomfort in regards to how he feels about situations over 30 times.
The Story of the World’s Greatest Cricket Player|William O’Connor|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While the look worked for some, the combination of heat and chemicals took a toll on the hair of others.
Goodbye To A Natural Hair Guru: Miss Jessie's Cofounder Titi Branch Dead At 45|Danielle Belton|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But if he heard this combination of Greek and Cuban music, he would be forced to reconsider.
The Best Albums of 2014|Ted Gioia|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Late Thursday night, the House passed the combination continuing resolution/omnibus spending bill by a vote of 219-206.
‘Cromnibus’ Passes, But Did Anyone Win?|Ben Jacobs|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I would define Rockefeller Republican in the classic sense as a combination of fiscal responsibility and social conscience.
This Republican Loved Taxes & Modern Art|Scott Porch|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is this power of combination with bases that makes them of value in wool dyeing.
The Dyeing of Woollen Fabrics|Franklin Beech
Combination among producers to keep up prices is always possible in a market restricted by law.
Principles of Political Economy|Arthur Latham Perry
The combination of these causes led to one of the most remarkable rises in price ever known.
Mammon and Co.|E. F. Benson
Well, it is a combination job between mail clerk and tariff compiler.
Warren Commission (6 of 26): Hearings Vol. VI (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
The deformity presents a combination of the hollow foot—pes cavus—with pes calcaneus, and resembles that of a Chinese lady's foot.
Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities--Head--Neck. Sixth Edition.|Alexander Miles

British Dictionary definitions for combination

combination

/ (ˌkɒmbɪˈneɪʃən) /

noun

the act of combining or state of being combined

a union of separate parts, qualities, etc

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

the set of numbers that opens a combination lock
the mechanism of this type of lock

British a motorcycle with a sidecar attached

maths

an arrangement of the numbers, terms, etc, of a set into specified groups without regard to order in the groupthe combinations of a, b, and c, taken two at a time, are ab, bc, ac
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 rCompare permutation (def. 1)

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

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

Derived Forms

combinational, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

combination

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of combination

SYNONYMS FOR combination

Related forms

Examples from the Web for combination

British Dictionary definitions for combination

combination

noun

Derived Forms