combination

[ kom-buh-ney-shuhn ]

noun

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, monopoly, combine, cartel, coalition, league, federation, association, bloc

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. Compare permutation ( def 1 ).

combination

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˌcombiˈnational, adjective

Other Words From

• combi·nation·al adjective
• inter·combi·nation noun
• noncom·bi·nation noun
• precom·bi·nation noun
• super·combi·nation noun
• uncom·bi·nation·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of combination¹

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; combine ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

The men were more than 25 miles from the blaze but a combination of high winds and smoke was enough to foul the air.

From Los Angeles Times

While much of the analysis focused on the effects of single herbicides, the team also analyzed the combination of glyphosate and fomesafen.

From Science Daily

They said that this will likely require a combination of new technologies and changes to farming practices.

From Science Daily

Sometimes these symptoms occur in combination, or singly.

From Science Daily

The research employed a combination of field and laboratory studies, starting with quantifying pesticide residues at suitable hibernation sites for bumble bee queens on Ontario farms.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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