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
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
As Oakmont continued to firm up on Friday, only three players managed to remain under par as the combination of Oakmont’s greens, and a brutal USGA setup featuring rough over five inches long gave the best players in the world fits.
—
Mike Fore, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Hammerhead worms can also be sprayed with a combination of citrus oil (like orange essence) and vinegar, the Texas Invasive Species Institute states.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 14 June 2025
This approach relies on a combination of practices rather than the routine application of pesticides used in a traditional pest-control program.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025
These ears are actually distorted spiral arms that were likely given their shape from a combination of wind pushing on the gas and the rotation of the galaxy itself, according to the researchers.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for combination
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Mike Fore, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Hammerhead worms can also be sprayed with a combination of citrus oil (like orange essence) and vinegar, the Texas Invasive Species Institute states.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 14 June 2025
This approach relies on a combination of practices rather than the routine application of pesticides used in a traditional pest-control program.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025
These ears are actually distorted spiral arms that were likely given their shape from a combination of wind pushing on the gas and the rotation of the galaxy itself, according to the researchers.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for combination
Cite this Entry
“Combination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combination. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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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