combination
noun
com·bi·na·tion
ˌkäm-bə-ˈnā-shən 
often attributive
1
a
: a result or product of combining
Water is a combination of hydrogen and oxygen.
especially
: an alliance of individuals, corporations, or states united to achieve a social, political, or economic end
b
: two or more persons working as a team
Together they are a winning combination.
2
: an ordered sequence: such as
a
: a sequence of letters or numbers chosen in setting a lock
What is the combination to the safe?
also
: the mechanism operating or moved by the sequence
b
: a rapid sequence of punches in boxing
c
: any subset of a set considered without regard to order within the subset
3
: any of various one-piece undergarments for the upper and lower parts of the body
—usually used in plural
wore combinations in the winter to keep warm
4
: an instrument designed to perform two or more tasks
The tool is a jackknife and bottle opener combination.
5
a
: the act or process of combining
especially
: that of uniting to form a chemical compound
The combination of these two chemicals can cause an explosion.
b
: the quality or state of being combined
Synonyms
Examples of combination in a Sentence
Water is a combination of hydrogen and oxygen.
The car's interior is available in various color combinations.
A combination of factors led to her decision.
The milkshakes come in chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla, or any combination of these.
He has the right combination of talent and experience.
The combination of these two chemicals can cause an explosion.
What is the combination to the safe?
Recent Examples on the Web
Bellevue's management has expressed concerns about its ability to continue as a going concern due to the working capital deficit and the need to complete a business combination by the extended deadline.
—
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
The five-man combination of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon leads the league in points per possessions.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Doctors use a combination of symptoms and blood work in deciding whom to treat.
—Akshay Syal, M.d., NBC News, 10 Nov. 2024
But the combination of colorful options and a powerful new M4 processor keeps the 2024 iMac (starts at $1,299; $2,299 as tested) feeling fresh and new, even as the fundamental design remains unchanged since 2021.
—Brian Westover, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for combination 
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Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
The five-man combination of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon leads the league in points per possessions.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Doctors use a combination of symptoms and blood work in deciding whom to treat.
—Akshay Syal, M.d., NBC News, 10 Nov. 2024
But the combination of colorful options and a powerful new M4 processor keeps the 2024 iMac (starts at $1,299; $2,299 as tested) feeling fresh and new, even as the fundamental design remains unchanged since 2021.
—Brian Westover, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for combination
Dictionary Entries Near combination
Cite this Entry
“Combination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combination. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
combination
noun
com·bi·na·tion
ˌkäm-bə-ˈnā-shən
1
: a result or product of combining
especially
: a number of persons or groups joined together to achieve some end
2
a
: a connected series of letters or numbers chosen in setting a lock
b
: any of the possible subsets of a set without regard to the order of their elements
3
: the act or process of combining
especially
: that of uniting to form a chemical compound
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