combination

American  

[kom-buh-ney-shuhn] / ˌkɒm bəˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

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, cartel, coalition, league, 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

• combinational adjective
• intercombination noun
• noncombination noun
• precombination noun
• supercombination noun
• uncombinational adjective

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; combine ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

Newcastle, remarkably, are still searching for a settled combination in the final third despite spending £179m on forwards.

From BBC

The combination sought by Paramount would result in a company with roughly the same share of video services as Netflix-WBD, 26%.

From Barron's

Utility customers across the country increasingly face less reliable service from a combination of severe weather and an aging electricity system, while federal regulators have warned that power demand is outpacing infrastructure development.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company is financing the acquisition using a combination of cash on hand and debt financing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hosts Italy are holders and beat Mouat and Dodds in last year's World Championship final; 2024 winners Sweden have a brother and sister combination; and Switzerland and Canada also have husband and wife teams.

From BBC

Related Words

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