combine
Americanverb (used with object)
-
combines,
present (3rd person singular)
-
combined,
past participle, past
-
combining
present participle
-
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
-
to possess or exhibit in union.
a plan that combines the best features of several other plans.
-
to harvest (grain) with a combine.
verb (used without object)
-
combines,
present (3rd person singular)
-
combined,
past participle, past
-
combining
present participle
-
to unite; coalesce.
The clay combined with the water to form a thick paste.
- Antonyms:
- separate
-
to unite for a common purpose; join forces.
After the two factions combined, they proved invincible.
-
to enter into chemical union.
-
to use a combine in harvesting.
noun
-
combines
plural
-
a combination.
-
a combination of persons or groups for the furtherance of their political, commercial, or other interests, as a syndicate, cartel, or trust.
-
a harvesting machine for cutting and threshing grain in the field.
verb
-
to integrate or cause to be integrated; join together
-
to unite or cause to unite to form a chemical compound
-
agriculture to harvest (crops) with a combine harvester
noun
-
agriculture short for combine harvester
-
an association of enterprises, esp in order to gain a monopoly of a market
-
an association of business corporations, political parties, sporting clubs, etc, for a common purpose
Usage
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.
Synonym Usage
See mix.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
combinabilitynoun
-
combinernoun
-
recombinernoun
-
precombineverb
-
recombineverb
-
intercombineverb (used with object)
-
combinableadjective
-
noncombiningadjective
-
uncombiningadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
combinesimple
-
combinessimple
-
have combinedperfect
-
has combinedperfect
-
am combiningprogressive
-
are combiningprogressive
-
is combiningprogressive
-
have been combiningperfect progressive
-
has been combiningperfect progressive
Past
-
combinedsimple
-
had combinedperfect
-
was combiningprogressive
-
were combiningprogressive
-
had been combiningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of combine
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” ( cf. binary)
Explanation
When you put things together, you combine them, creating one out of several. In some cases, the different items blend their properties and cannot be divided again, while in other cases the combined items can be picked out separately. In Latin, the prefix com- means "together," and bīnī means "two by two." These were combined to create the word combīnāre, or "to unite." Comedian Dave Attell offers a good use of the verb combine (cum-BINE): What're the two things they tell you are healthiest to eat? Chicken and fish. You know what you should do? Combine them, eat a penguin. Hiram Moore's combine (the noun is pronounced COM-bine) was a machine that combined reaping, binding, and threshing into one machine, saving farmers a lot of work.
Vocabulary lists containing combine
com-, con-
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Human Geography - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Human Geography - High School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Most CBS News employees work under union contracts, while CNN is largely nonunion, which would complicate efforts to combine staff and newsgathering operations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
Such a system could combine the strengths of both approaches.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 1, 2026
Two hurricanes in the Pacific could combine with high tides to cause flooding and erosion at Southern California beaches early next week.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026
In a media release before the first round of fixtures, Disney said: "The Hangout will combine expert analysis with fresh perspectives and fan engagement."
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
If I could combine them, they’d make the perfect boy/girlfriend.
From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone
This season, Yerxa said he’s paying roughly double for the diesel he uses to power the farm’s tractors, combines, harvesters and dozens of other heavy-duty machines.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026
Other options include the additional member system, a hybrid model that combines first-past-the-post with regional party lists that is used to elect members of the Scottish Parliament.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
"In Japan it's not a problem, there's always product available," said Yusuke Takada, who combines Japanese ingredients with French cooking techniques in La Cime, Osaka.
From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026
Published in Organisms Diversity & Evolution, the study combines detailed physical observations with genetic analysis to help fill major gaps in scientists' understanding of these unusual marine animals.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 25, 2026
“When oxygen combines with an element over an extended period of time, the result is slow oxidation, rust being a good example of it,” he said confidently.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
The motion also leaves UC as a major holdout after a string of settlements in which universities facing antisemitism investigations agreed to pay a combined total of hundreds of millions of dollars.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
Gareth Bale, the Welsh marvel, who has more Champions League winner's medals than the rest of this list combined.
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz has been tapped as co-CEO of the combined Paramount-Warner Bros.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
For the Cell study published on September 24, Mount Sinai scientists combined existing datasets to build a single cell transcriptomic atlas of blood vessels in the human brain.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 1, 2026
By this, he meant a feeling of “nervousness, depression, even despondency,” combined with extreme insomnia.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
That pattern raises the possibility that combining a brain healthy diet with other healthy lifestyle habits could help reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disease, the researchers say.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 1, 2026
They also signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding outlining a planned agreement to conduct clinical trials combining ivonescimab with several of AstraZeneca’s cancer medicines in a range of clinical trials.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
The company holds Christian events combining worship, motivational speakers and financial education under a mission it calls “Kingdom Impact.”
From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2026
"I've seen research combining AI with nuclear fusion, AI with astrophysics, AI with new materials, and AI with the development of new drugs. I think we are entering a good era."
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
By combining journalism with anthropology, I’ve tried in previous writings not simply to observe but to participate in the lives of railroad tramps, illegal Mexican immigrants, Kenyan truckers, and even the elite of Aspen, Colorado.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
