combat

American  

[kuhm-bat, kom-bat, kuhm-, kom-bat, kuhm-] / kəmˈbæt, ˈkɒm bæt, ˈkʌm-, ˈkɒm bæt, ˈkʌm- /

verb (used with object)

combated, combating, combatted, combatting

1. to fight or contend against; oppose vigorously.

   to combat crime.

   Synonyms:

   contest, struggle

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verb (used without object)

combated, combating, combatted, combatting

1. to battle; contend.

   to combat with disease.

   Synonyms:

   contest, struggle

noun

1. Military. active, armed fighting with enemy forces.

2. a fight, struggle, or controversy, as between two persons, teams, or ideas.

combat British  

noun

1. a fight, conflict, or struggle

2. 1. an action fought between two military forces

   2. ( as modifier )

      a combat jacket

3. a fight between two individuals; duel

4. fighting at close quarters

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verb

1. (tr) to fight or defy

2. (intr; often foll by with or against) to struggle or strive (against); be in conflict (with)

   to combat against disease

Usage

What does combat mean? Combat is most commonly used in a military context to refer to active fighting among opposing armies. To engage in combat is to engage in fighting. This kind of combat most commonly takes place on a battlefield or warzone on the ground (called a combat zone). Aerial combat involves fighting in the air among air forces. Hand-to-hand combat involves close fighting, often literally with one’s hands. Combat is often used as a modifier (adjective) in terms that refer to things related to or involving combat, such as combat training, combat medic, combat fatigue, and combat boots. Combat is sometimes used more broadly or figuratively to refer to active conflict between two people or groups, as in The two corporations are preparing to do combat in the courtroom. The term verbal combat refers to fighting with words. Combat is also commonly used as a verb meaning to oppose or work to defeat. It’s especially used when the thing to be defeated is intangible or abstract, as in We need to combat climate change or Our organization works to combat poverty. The figurative senses of the verbs fight and battle are close synonyms of this sense of combat. The sides engaging in combat can be called combatants. The adjective combative means inclined to fight. Example: The objective of basic training is to prepare our soldiers for combat.

Synonym Usage

See fight

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• uncombated
  adjective
• combater
  noun
• self-combating
  adjective
• intercombat
  noun
• uncombatable
  adjective
• precombat
  noun
• combatable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of combat

First recorded in 1535–45; from Middle French combat (noun), combattre (verb), from Late Latin combattere, from Latin com- com- + Late Latin battere, from Latin battuere “to strike, beat”

Explanation

Combat is fighting between two groups of armed forces. When you engage in combat, typically this means you engage in fighting that involves weapons. Combat comes from the Latin com- meaning "together with" and battere meaning "to fight." Combat can be used as a modifier; for example, a combat zone is an area where fighting is taking place. The word combat can also be used to refer to the action of fighting against something to prevent it. An after-school program for kids is working to combat the issue of street violence by creating a safe space where kids can go as an alternative.

Example Sentences

In a statement, Elevance said it was taking action to combat fraud, waste and abuse in the autism therapy space and protect members of the health plans it oversees.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

"Anyone present near Hezbollah elements, facilities or means of combat endangers their life," a spokesman said.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

The organization works to combat air pollution across Southern California and the Inland Empire.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026

Another beneficiary could be European equities, as lower energy prices will help the EU economies and reduce the pressure on policymakers to raise interest rates to combat inflation, says DataTrek co-founder Nicholas Colas.

From Barron's • May 30, 2026

Everyone must have been dreading the onset of another harsh winter—especially now that Marina’s aviators had to work to keep the planes ready for combat every day.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

• action
• conflict
• contest
• encounter
• engagement
• fight
• fray
• shootout
• skirmish
• struggle
• war
• warfare