Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense combines, present participle combining, past tense, past participle combinedpronunciation note: The verb is pronounced (kəmbaɪn). The noun is pronounced (kɒmbaɪn).
1. verb
If you combine two or more things or if they combine, they exist together.
The Church has something to say on how to combine freedom with responsibility. [VERB noun + with]
If improved education is combined with other factors dramatic results can be achieved. [VERB noun with noun]
Relief workers say it's worse than ever as disease and starvation combine to killthousands. [VERB to-infinitive]
This technique combined with any other therapy is perfectly safe. [VERB-ed]
[Also VERB noun]
2. verb
If you combine two or more things or if they combine, they join together to make a single thing.
David Jacobs was given the job of combining the data from these 19 studies into onegiant study. [VERB noun]
Combine the flour with 3 tablespoons water to make a paste. [VERB noun + with]
Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen combine chemically to form carbohydrates and fats. [VERB]
Combined with other compounds, they created a massive dynamite-type bomb. [V-ed + with]
Synonyms: amalgamate, marry, mix, bond More Synonyms of combine
3. verb
If someone or something combines two qualities or features, they have both those qualities or features at the same time.
Their system combines strong government and proportional representation. [VERB noun]
...a clever, far-sighted lawyer who combines legal expertise with social concern. [VERB noun + with]
Her tale has a consciously youthful tone and storyline, combined with a sly humour. [VERB-ed]
4. verb
If someone combines two activities, they do them both at the same time.
It is possible to combine a career with being a mother. [VERB noun + with]
He will combine the two jobs over the next three years. [VERB noun]
5. verb
If two or more groups or organizations combine or if someone combines them, they join to form a single group or organization.
...an announcement by Steetley and Tarmac of a joint venture that would combine theiroperations. [VERB noun]
Different states or groups can combine to enlarge their markets. [VERB to-infinitive]
[Also VERB noun + with]
Synonyms: unite, associate, team up, unify More Synonyms of combine
6. countable noun
A combine is a group of people or organizations that are working or acting together.
...an energy and chemicals combine that is Germany's fourth-biggest company.
More Synonyms of combine
combine in British English
verb (kəmˈbaɪn)
1.
to integrate or cause to be integrated; join together
2.
to unite or cause to unite to form a chemical compound
3. agriculture
to harvest (crops) with a combine harvester
noun (ˈkɒmbaɪn)
4. agriculture short for combine harvester
5.
an association of enterprises, esp in order to gain a monopoly of a market
6.
an association of business corporations, political parties, sporting clubs, etc, for a common purpose
Derived forms
combinable (comˈbinable)
adjective
combinability (comˌbinaˈbility)
noun
combiner (comˈbiner)
noun
Word origin
C15: from Late Latin combīnāre, from Latin com- together + bīnī two by two
combine in American English
(kəmˈbaɪn; for n. & 3, ˈkɑmˌbaɪn)
verb transitive, verb intransitiveWord forms: comˈbined or comˈbining
1.
to come or bring into union; act or mix together; unite; join
2.
to unite to form a chemical compound
3. US
to harvest and thresh with a combine
noun
4. US
a machine for harvesting and threshing grain
5.
an association of persons, corporations, etc. for commercial or political, sometimes unethical, purposes
SIMILAR WORDS: join
Derived forms
combinable (comˈbinable)
adjective
combiner (comˈbiner)
noun
Word origin
ME combinen < OFr combiner < LL combinare, to unite < L com-, together + bini, two by two < base of bis: see bi-1
Examples of 'combine' in a sentence
combine
The pair have to combine their careers with the demands of top competition.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In a large bowl combine the flour and salt.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Transfer to the pan with all the remaining ingredients and stir until well combined.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The smart political thing to have done would have been to combine the two.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Two things combining together in a surprising way.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The solution may be to combine within one person the regulatory and clinical veterinary roles.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Now and then the two structures are combined in a single paragraph.
Marius, Richard A Short Guide to Writing About History (1995)
On the question of him combining the roles there are sharp class divides.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Medals are decided by combining times from the semi and final runs.
The Sun (2012)
Two principal causes have combined to produce this effect.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
His work combines a wry humour with pathos.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Add in baking powder and flour and combine well.
The Sun (2015)
Remove from the heat and whisk in the unsalted butter until well combined.
The Sun (2013)
People who can combine two sets of competencies.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Tip in the egg white and continue squeezing the ingredients together until well combined.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The first two have often been combined into one volume.
Christianity Today (2000)
He combined the role of a senior police officer with that of a minor judge.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
He also found time to combine rugby with an army career.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Combine to form a soft dough.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Political, social and economic changes have combined to make it acceptable and seemingly irresistible.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
In practice, a physician might combine these forms of rest in different ways.
Rotundo, E. Anthony American Manhood: Transformations in Masculinity from the Revolution to the ModernEra (1993)
Pour over the hot cream and milk, using a spatula to combine and thereby make a custard.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
combine
British English: combine /kəmˈbaɪn/ VERB
If you combine two or more things, or if they combine, they exist or join together.
Combine the flour with 3 tablespoons of water.
American English: combine
Arabic: يَجْمَعُ
Brazilian Portuguese: combinar
Chinese: 结合
Croatian: kombinirati
Czech: kombinovat
Danish: kombinere
Dutch: combineren
European Spanish: combinar
Finnish: yhdistää
French: combiner
German: verbinden Zusammenfuegung
Greek: συνδυάζω
Italian: combinare
Japanese: 結合する
Korean: 결합시키다
Norwegian: forene
Polish: połączyć zmieszać
European Portuguese: combinar
Romanian: a combina
Russian: сочетать
Latin American Spanish: combinar
Swedish: kombinera
Thai: รวมกัน
Turkish: birleştirmek
Ukrainian: змішувати
Vietnamese: kết hợp
Chinese translation of 'combine'
combine
(vbkəmˈbaɪn; nˈkɔmbaɪn)
vt
to combine sth with sth将(將)某物与(與)某物结(結)合起来(來) (jiāng mǒuwù yǔ mǒuwù jiéhé qǐlái)
vi
[qualities, situations]结(結)合 (jiéhé)
[people, groups]组(組)合 (zǔhé)
(Chem) 化合 (huàhé)
n
(Econ) 联(聯)合公司 (liánhé gōngsī)
a combined effort协(協)力 (xiélì)
1 (verb)
Definition
to form a chemical compound
Combine the flour with water to make a paste.Her tale combines a strong storyline with sly humour.
Synonyms
amalgamate
marry
It will be difficult to marry his two interests – cooking and sport.
mix
Oil and water don't mix.
Mix the cinnamon with the sugar.
bond
Strips of wood are bonded together and moulded by machine.
bind
These compounds bind with genetic material in the liver.
compound
An emotion oddly compounded of pleasure and bitterness flooded over me.
blend
Blend the ingredients until you have a smooth cream.
incorporate
Gradually incorporate the olive oil into the dough.
integrate
merge
He wants to merge the two agencies.
put together
fuse
synthesize
Opposites
separate,
divide
,
dissolve
,
detach
,
sever
,
disunite
2 (verb)
Definition
to join together
Disease and starvation are combining to kill thousands.
Synonyms
join together
link
the Channel Tunnel linking Britain and France
connect
There is no evidence to connect him to the robberies.
I wouldn't have connected the two events if you hadn't said that.
integrate
No attempt was made to integrate the parts into a coherent whole.
merge
The two countries merged into one.
fuse
The chemicals fused to form a new compound.
amalgamate
The firm has amalgamated with an American company.
meld
3 (verb)
Definition
to join together
Different states or groups can combine to enlarge their markets.
Synonyms
unite
The two parties have been trying to unite since the New Year.
associate
We've got the idea of associating progress with the future.
team up
He suggested that we team up for a working holiday in France.
unify
He said he would seek to unify the Party and win the next election.
get together
collaborate
The two writers collaborated on a new show.
join forces
cooperate
The two parties are cooperating more than they have done in years.
join together
pool resources
Opposites
part
, separate,
split up
,
dissociate
Additional synonyms
in the sense of associate
Definition
to connect in the mind
We've got the idea of associating progress with the future.
Synonyms
connect,
couple,
league,
link,
mix,
relate,
pair,
ally,
identify,
unite,
join,
combine,
attach,
affiliate,
fasten,
correlate,
confederate,
yoke,
affix,
lump together,
cohere,
mention in the same breath,
conjoin,
think of together
in the sense of bind
Definition
to stick together or cause to stick
These compounds bind with genetic material in the liver.
Synonyms
fuse,
join,
stick,
bond,
cement,
adhere
in the sense of blend
Definition
to mix or mingle (components)
Blend the ingredients until you have a smooth cream.