combination

[kom-buh-ney-shuhn]

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.

combination

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of combination¹

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

Researchers believe this combination of speed and precision could help integrate the technology into clinical practice more quickly.

Read more on Science Daily

"A combination of rising costs, declining ticket sales and an ambitious refresh of the format aimed to challenge these issues has led to the organisation no longer being financially viable," it says.

Read more on BBC

A combination with Warner Discovery would give Paramount more heft in a leaner Hollywood, where scale counts in streaming and cable continues to decline.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The combination of skyrocketing prices, newfound volatility, and diverging investor sentiment has put miners in unfamiliar territory.

Read more on Barron's

It could also have been a combination of making conversation and keeping an eye out for you at the same time.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

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