noun
combination
kom-bih-NAY-shuhn
noun
1
The act of joining two or more things together, or the result of doing so.
"The dish is a combination of sweet and spicy flavors."
"Success here comes down to a combination of hard work and luck."
2
A specific sequence of numbers or letters used to open a lock.
"He forgot the combination to his gym locker."
3
A rapid sequence of punches or strikes thrown together in boxing or martial arts.
"The boxer landed a quick combination to the body."
How to Use Combination
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTwo or more things joined or used together — whether ingredients, numbers on a lock, or punches in a fight.
Common pairings
winning combination
combination lock
combination of factors
Word Forms
combinations plural
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The dish is a _____ of sweet and spicy flavors.
Etymology
From Old French combination, from Late Latin combinatio, built from combine plus the noun suffix -ation.