combine

1 of 3

verb (1)

com·​bine kəm-ˈbīn How to pronounce combine (audio)
combined; combining

transitive verb

1
a
: to bring into such close relationship as to obscure individual characters : merge
two companies combining forces
b
: to cause to unite into a chemical compound
combining hydrofluoric acid with soda ash to form sodium fluoride
c
: to unite into a single number or expression
Combine fractions and simplify.
2
: intermix, blend
Combine the sugar and flour.
3
: to possess in combination
a writer whose works combine imagination and scholarship

intransitive verb

1
a
: to become one
The two newspapers combined as the Chronicle.
b
: to unite to form a chemical compound
2
: to act together
Many factors combined to cause the recession.
Wolves combine in their hunt for deer.
combinable adjective
combiner noun

combine

2 of 3

noun

com·​bine ˈkäm-ˌbīn How to pronounce combine (audio)
plural combines
1
a
: a combination especially of business or political interests
… Grumman Corp. lost the advanced tactical aircraft contract to the combine of McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics.George J. Church
b
: an event at which scouts from the teams in a professional sports league gather to evaluate players in preparation for choosing which players to draft
a scouting combine
Every spring the National Football League conducts that most cherished of American rituals, the college draft. A couple of months before the event, prospective players show off their abilities in an athletic audition known as the combine.Carl Zimmer
2
: a harvesting machine that heads, threshes, and cleans grain while moving over a field

combine

3 of 3

verb (2)

com·​bine ˈkäm-ˌbīn How to pronounce combine (audio)
combined; combining

transitive verb

: to harvest with a combine

intransitive verb

: to combine a crop
Choose the Right Synonym for combine

join, combine, unite, connect, link, associate, relate mean to bring or come together into some manner of union.

join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness.

joined forces in an effort to win

combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit.

combined jazz and rock to create a new music

unite implies somewhat greater loss of separate identity.

the colonies united to form a republic

connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity.

a name forever linked with liberty

associate stresses the mere fact of frequent occurrence or existence together in space or in logical relation.

opera is popularly associated with high society

relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

related what he observed to what he already knew

Examples of combine in a Sentence

Noun The teams belong to a combine that scouts new players. charged that the cable companies had formed an illegal combine for the purpose of keeping rates artificially high
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
As the street food spread through the Arab world, ingredients shifted with larders and tastes: Palestinian cooks tend to prefer solely chickpeas in their falafel; the Lebanese often combine garbanzos and foul. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2024 Meanwhile, combine berry blue gelatin and 2 cups boiling water; cool to room temperature. Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2024 In a medium bowl, combine the beef, ½ teaspoon salt and baking soda. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 3 May 2024 The Prospects perfectly combines the highs and lows of a long season with the hope and fear of falling in love. Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024 When the mixture is completely combined, taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Fox News, 3 May 2024 Inspired by the nostalgic scent of sugary treats, this perfume combines the warm embrace of vanilla with the irresistible allure of candy rock sugar. Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 3 May 2024 Planes can sample the atmosphere’s chemistry directly, but to understand the big picture, scientists still need to combine aircraft measurements with satellite readings, Dr. Moyer said. Raymond Zhong, New York Times, 3 May 2024 Transfer the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss to combine. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 3 May 2024
Noun
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash at the combine earlier this year. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2024 Mitchell had an excellent combine and has moved to top of draft board at cornerback. 16. Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2024 Cade Stover, Ohio State: All-around prospect who measured 6-4 and 247 at the combine. Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2024 Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson Wiggins’ 4.28 40-yard dash time was the fastest among defensive players at the combine. Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2024 That puts him in a unique position among all the top prospects gathered in Indianapolis this week for the league’s scouting combine. Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Both would be strong times for the defensive back who measured in at 5-10 and 209 pounds at the combine in Indianapolis last month. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2024 Alt cemented his elite status at the combine in Indy. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024 General manager John Lynch defended Feliciano to reporters at the NFL scouting combine, so re-signing Feliciano is an option, but so is the possibility of bringing in an upgrade. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'combine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1) and Noun

Middle English, from Middle French combiner, from Late Latin combinare, from Latin com- + bini two by two — more at bin-

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1926, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of combine was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near combine

Cite this Entry

“Combine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combine. Accessed 8 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

combine

1 of 2 verb
com·​bine kəm-ˈbīn How to pronounce combine (audio)
combined; combining
1
: to bring into close relationship : unify
2
: to mix together so that the identity of each part is lost
combine the ingredients of a recipe
3
a
: to become one
b
: to unite to form a chemical compound
combinable adjective
combiner noun

combine

2 of 2 noun
com·​bine ˈkäm-ˌbīn How to pronounce combine (audio)
1
: a union of persons or groups especially for business or political benefits
2
: a machine that harvests, threshes, and cleans grain while moving over a field

Medical Definition

combine

verb
com·​bine kəm-ˈbīn How to pronounce combine (audio)
combined; combining

transitive verb

: to cause to unite into a chemical compound

intransitive verb

: to unite to form a chemical compound
combination noun

More from Merriam-Webster on combine

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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