combination

American  

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

noun

• combinations
  plural

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, coalition, 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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• combinations
  plural

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; see combine) + -iō -ion

Explanation

A combination is a grouping together of separate things. Your desire to live to a big city might come from a combination of your dreams of being on stage, and your obsession with underground trains. Combination is the act of combining, which comes from the Latin for "joining together two by two," although it's not necessary that you combine things in pairs. Your famous party mix might be a combination of pretzels, nuts, and espresso beans. Your locker combination is the set of numbers you have to dial to open the lock. If you plan to go on a TV talent show, get ready to learn some dance combinations. Kick, spin, drop, roll!

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

combination combinations

The sharp gains come as a combination of catalysts converge.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

Ultimately the behaviour of a fire depended on a combination of factors, including wind, heat, embers, available fuel and the layout of individual homes, he added.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

For about a year, the patient undergoes treatment, which is a combination of the therapeutic vaccine, intismeran autogene, and Keytruda, the world’s top-selling cancer drug.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026

But more often than not, the combination comes off forced; corny at best, insipid at worst.

From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026

Each jasper bead of red, yellow, or a combination of the two he’d chiseled down, polished, and drilled himself.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Participants learned connections between different combinations of colors, faces, and scenes and particular responses.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026

Viral TikToks of outlandish pickle combinations have flooded the internet in the past couple of years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

While many users take multiple peptides together in custom combinations, or “stacks,” there is no data on how different synthetic peptides interact with one another.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

There, users discussed different “stacks,” or combinations of peptides, to reduce body fat and achieve muscle growth.

From Slate ● Jul. 29, 2026

The sound and intensity and time of the burn seemed to exceed the best of my black-powder combinations.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

Related Words

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