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

They were given a helping hand by a combination of a mix-up between the West Indies openers and brilliance in the field from Jacob Bethell to run out Shai Hope.

From BBC

From the sound of that press release, it sure seems like they’ll just be turning in a glorified recommendations report, written by a combination of A.I. chatbots and underpaid interns, to present to Trump on the occasion of America’s semiquincentennial, represented alongside the Dogecoin Shiba Inu.

From Slate

The combination of visuals and the audio and the haptics of the seats — all of those things were brought to bear to try and basically turn on its head the whole idea of suspension of disbelief, so that you’re having to remind yourself that it’s not real, as opposed to pretending that it is.

From Los Angeles Times

It is a combination of numbness and a stubborn determination to both protect myself and carry on.

From Salon

Final marks are based on a combination of exams, coursework and completion of the industry placement.

From BBC

Related Words

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