ENGLISH
REFERENCE

merge

v. · n.
US //ˈmɝdʒ// UK //mˈɜːdʒ// merge
  1. 1 to combine things (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to join two or more things together to form one single thing.

    to combine or cause to combine to form a single entity.

    Example

    The two small companies decided to merge to become more competitive.

    Example

    The board of directors voted to merge the two subsidiaries into a single entity to streamline operations and reduce overhead costs.
  2. 2 to blend gradually (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to change slowly until one thing becomes part of another.

    to blend or disappear gradually into something else.

    Example

    The sea and the sky seemed to merge on the horizon.

    Example

    In his later paintings, the sharp outlines of the figures begin to merge with the abstract background, creating a sense of fluid motion.
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 traffic (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to move into a different lane of traffic.

    to move from one lane of traffic into another, or for two lanes of traffic to join together.

    Example

    You should check your mirror before you merge into the fast lane.

    Example

    Drivers are encouraged to use both lanes until the point of closure and then merge alternately, a technique known as zipper merging.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'into'.
  2. 4 joining together (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    the act of joining two or more things together.

    the act or instance of combining multiple sources or entities into one.

    Example

    The software update performs a merge of all your old files into the new system.

    Example

    The developer initiated a code merge to integrate the new features from the experimental branch into the main project repository.
Origin

Borrowed from Latin mergō (“to dip; dip in; plunge; sink down into; immerse; overwhelm”).

Word family

© 2026 English Reference