Combination — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌkäm-bə-ˈnā-shən/ com·bi·na·tion

Meaning & Definition of Combination

Combination (noun)

  1. a result or product of combining; especially, an alliance of individuals, corporations, or states united to achieve a social, political, or economic end
  2. two or more persons working as a team
  3. an ordered sequence

Combination (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a distinct entity formed by the combining of two or more different things

    "a victory that was due to a combination of luck and planning"

    similar: admixture, alloy, amalgam, amalgamation, blend, cocktail, composite, compound, conflation, emulsion, fusion, intermixture, meld, mix, mixture, synthesis
    related: half-and-half, absorption, blending, coalescence, coalition, commingling, commixture, compost, concretion, homogenization, immingling, immixture, incorporation, integration, interfusion, intermingling, mergence, merger, merging, mingling, assortment, hash, hodgepodge, hotchpotch, jumble, medley, mélange, mishmash, motley, patchwork, potpourri, variety, accumulation, aggregation, conglomeration
    near: component, constituent, element, ingredient

  2. the act or an instance of joining two or more things into one

    "the combination of mint and chocolate in a delicious dessert"

    similar: combining, connecting, connection, consolidation, coupling, junction, linking, merger, merging, unification, union
    related: agglomeration, amalgamation, blend, coalescence, commingling, compounding, fusion, intermingling, intermixture, mingling, mix, mixture, synthesis, reunification, reunion
    opposite: breakup, disconnection, dissolution, disunion, division, parting, partition, schism, scission, split
    near: detachment, divorcement, separation, severance

  3. a number of businesses or enterprises united for commercial advantage

    "the companies formed a combination in an attempt to establish a monopoly in the rubber market"

    similar: cartel, combine, syndicate, trust
    related: chain, conglomerate, megacorporation, multinational, association, guild, organization, partnership, pool, union, big business

  4. an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection

    "a combination of citizens dedicated to fighting higher property taxes"

    similar: alliance, axis, bloc, block, coalition, combine, confederacy, confederation, federation, league, union
    related: cabal, conspiracy, junto, cartel, syndicate, trust, faction, front, fusion, side, wing, association, group, organization, affiliation, cooperative, partnership, circuit, conference

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Combination

The most common words with a similar meaning to Combination:

admixture, alloy, amalgam, amalgamation, blend, cocktail, composite, compound, conflation, emulsion, fusion, intermixture, meld, mix, mixture, synthesis, combining, connecting, connection, consolidation, coupling, junction, linking, merger, merging, unification, union, cartel, combine, syndicate, trust, alliance, axis, bloc, block, coalition, confederacy, confederation, federation, league

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Combination

Words with the opposite meaning of Combination:

breakup, disconnection, dissolution, disunion, division, parting, partition, schism, scission, split

Related Words for Combination

half-and-half, absorption, blending, coalescence, commingling, commixture, compost, concretion, homogenization, immingling, immixture, incorporation, integration, interfusion, intermingling, mergence, mingling, assortment, hash, hodgepodge, hotchpotch, jumble, medley, mélange, mishmash, motley, patchwork, potpourri, variety, accumulation

Near Antonyms of Combination

component, constituent, element, ingredient, detachment, divorcement, separation, severance

Word Forms of Combination

Derived words: combinational (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Combination

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Combination

Words & Phrases Containing Combination

combination shot, combination lock, combination therapy, linear combination, in combination, in combination with, winning combination

Frequently Asked Questions about Combination

What does "Combination" mean?

"Combination" means a result or product of combining; especially, an alliance of individuals, corporations, or states united to achieve a social, political, or economic end. As a noun, it is defined as: a result or product of combining; especially, an alliance of individuals, corporations, or states united to achieve a social, political, or economic end. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Combination"?

Other words for "Combination" include admixture, alloy, amalgam, amalgamation, blend, cocktail, composite and compound. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Combination" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Combination"?

There are 98 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Combination". Common alternatives include admixture, alloy, amalgam, amalgamation, blend, cocktail, composite, compound, conflation and emulsion.

What is the opposite of "Combination"?

Antonyms of "Combination" include breakup, disconnection, dissolution, disunion, division, parting, partition and schism. Near antonyms include component, constituent, element and ingredient.

How do you use "Combination" in a sentence?

Examples of "Combination" in a sentence: "a victory that was due to a combination of luck and planning"; "the combination of mint and chocolate in a delicious dessert"; "the companies formed a combination in an attempt to establish a monopoly in the rubber market".

Is "Combination" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Combination" is a noun.

Is "Combination" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Combination" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Combination"?

"Combination" is pronounced /ˌkäm-bə-ˈnā-shən/ and divided into syllables as com·bi·na·tion.