Word
combination
Phoneticscom·bi·na·tion
US/ˌkɑmbəˈneɪʃən/
UK/kˌɒmbɪnˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01a mixture or blend
n. two or more things joined or mixed together to create something new.
n. the result of combining two or more distinct elements into a single entity or mixture.
“The chef created a delicious combination of sweet and spicy flavours.”
“The success of the project was due to a unique combination of technical expertise and creative vision within the leadership team.”
Antonyms
02a lock code
n. the secret series of numbers or letters used to open a lock.
n. a specific sequence of characters or numbers required to operate a combination lock.
“I can never remember the combination to my gym locker.”
“The safe requires a six-digit combination that is changed every month to ensure maximum security for the documents inside.”
03mathematical selection
n. a group of items chosen from a larger set where the order does not matter.
n. a selection of members from a total population where the order of selection is not a distinguishing factor.
“In this card game, the order of the cards in your hand is a combination.”
“The students were asked to calculate the number of possible combinations when choosing three representatives from a class of thirty.”
Technical
Usage
Often contrasted with 'permutation', where the order of items does matter.
Antonyms
04sports sequence
n. a series of quick moves or hits performed one after another.
n. a rapid succession of coordinated strikes or tactical moves in sports such as boxing or chess.
“The boxer won the match after landing a powerful three-punch combination.”
“The grandmaster executed a brilliant combination that forced his opponent to sacrifice a queen to avoid immediate checkmate.”
05an alliance
n. a group of people or companies working together for a specific goal.
n. an association or alliance of individuals or entities formed for a common purpose.
“The two companies formed a powerful combination in the tech industry.”
“The political combination of several smaller parties proved strong enough to challenge the ruling government during the autumn elections.”
Formal
Real-World Examples
“All over social media, women are claiming that a simple hack has helped enormously: a combination of two over-the-counter medications, both antihistamines – typically, the name brands Pepcid AC and Allegra.” “The big appeal is the combination of price and attacking potential.” “Combination vaccines protect children with fewer shots, and in turn, require fewer appointments.” Etymology
PIE word *dwóh₁ From Middle English combinacioun, combynacyoun, from Old French combination, from Late Latin combīnātiō. Morphologically combine + -ation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Collocations
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Scan code
englishreference.com/q/combination