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
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combinabilitynoun
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combinernoun
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recombinernoun
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precombineverb
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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-
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Human Geography - Middle School
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Human Geography - High School
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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:
“These offerings not only support repeat traffic but often succeed in driving a higher average ticket as people combine meals from multiple plates or simply add-on to existing entrees,” said JPMorgan analysts.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026
"Modern AI systems do not simply retrieve or copy their training examples; they can combine learned information in new ways and generate outputs and solutions that were not explicitly present in those examples."
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026
Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler combine to shoot 20 of 27 from the field for 50 points as the Lakers rally to beat the Clippers and improve to 2-0.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2026
Because the molecules would be positioned at different angles, computers could analyze and combine their images to reconstruct a highly detailed molecular structure.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 22, 2026
The combine has broken down for the third time in as many days, and Westerberg is frantically trying to replace a hard-to-reach bushing before nightfall.
From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer
"At a time when consumers are highly sensitive to cost, we offer an experience that combines fun with the thrill of getting a good deal," Yuya Shiozawa, a manager at Aeon Fantasy, told AFP.
From Barron's ● Oct. 22, 2026
This year, excessive rainfall in many parts of the Corn Belt are making access to fields by combines harder to manage.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
“To that end, France and Germany propose a comprehensive package that combines an ambitious European decarbonisation pathway with the regulatory flexibility needed to reflect different market realities and technological conditions,” they said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
Duke-NUS Medical School combines medical education with basic and translational biomedical research.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
Territorial behavior similarly combines with a fierce disposition and a slow growth rate to banish rhinos from the farmyard.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
The government says the changes could save households up to £21 per year when combined with existing tariff suspensions on products including pasta, fruit juice and tuna.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026
U.S. natural gas futures extended the week’s losses as mild weather for the time of year combined with rising production.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
Natural gas producer EQT will acquire Range Resources in a deal valuing the combined company at over $50 billion.
From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2026
They have combined for 16 touchdowns in nine games as juniors.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2026
He wanted to know what their combined family income was.
From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day
Possible approaches include simplifying medication schedules, combining multiple treatments into a single pill, and prescribing longer-acting drugs that can help limit the consequences of an occasional missed dose.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 25, 2026
Theirs is a combination that cost the Reds a total of £248m but if they can keep on combining and winning games, that will do just fine for Iraola and Liverpool.
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026
The ground floor will house abc kitchens, a restaurant concept combining elements of Vongerichten’s abcV, abc cocina, and abc kitchen.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026
Musk said Tuesday that combining the two companies he leads “would be a good idea,” following months of speculation about the move.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
It is the result of combining discovery with the moral virtues associated with Evidence-Indices.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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