2 VERB If you combine two or more things or if they combine , they join together to make a single thing. □ [V n] David Jacobs was given the job of combining the data from these 19 studies into one giant study. □ [V n + with ] Combine the flour with 3 tablespoons water to make a paste. □ [V ] Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen combine chemically to form carbohydrates and fats. □ [V -ed + with ] Combined with other compounds, they created a massive dynamite-type bomb.
3 VERB If someone or something combines two qualities or features, they have both those qualities or features at the same time. □ [V n] Their system combines strong government and proportional representation. □ [V n + with ] …a clever, far-sighted lawyer who combines legal expertise with social concern. □ [V -ed] Her tale has a consciously youthful tone and storyline, combined with a sly humour.
4 VERB If someone combines two activities, they do them both at the same time. □ [V n + with ] It is possible to combine a career with being a mother. □ [V n] He will combine the two jobs over the next three years.
5 VERB If two or more groups or organizations combine or if someone combines them, they join to form a single group or organization. □ [V n] …an announcement by Steetley and Tarmac of a joint venture that would combine their operations. □ [V to-inf] Different states or groups can combine to enlarge their markets. [Also V n + with ]
6 N‑COUNT 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. SYNONYMS combine VERB 2
mix: Mix the ingredients together slowly.
bind: These compounds bind with genetic material in the liver.
blend: Blend the butter with the sugar and beat until light and creamy.
amalgamate: The chemical companies had amalgamated into a vast conglomerate.
merge: The two countries merged into one.
com|bined /kəmba I nd/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A combined effort or attack is made by two or more groups of people at the same time. □ These refugees are looked after by the combined efforts of governments and charities.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] The combined size or quantity of two or more things is the total of their sizes or quantities added together. □ After the merger, the two banks had combined assets of some $146 billion.
co m|bine ha r|vest|er (combine harvesters ) N‑COUNT A combine harvester is a large machine which is used on farms to cut, sort, and clean grain.
com|bi n|ing form (combining forms ) N‑COUNT A combining form is a word that is used, or used with a particular meaning, only when joined to another word. For example, '-legged' as in 'four-legged' and '-fold' as in 'fivefold' are combining forms.
com|bo /kɒ mboʊ/ (combos ) N‑COUNT A combo is a small group of musicians who play jazz, dance, or popular music. [INFORMAL ] □ …a new-wave rock combo.
com|bus|tible /kəmbʌ st I b ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A combustible material or gas catches fire and burns easily. [FORMAL ] □ The ability of coal to release a combustible gas has long been known.
com|bus|tion /kəmbʌ stʃən/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Combustion is the act of burning something or the process of burning. [TECHNICAL ] □ The energy is released by combustion on the application of a match.
2 → see also internal combustion engine
come ◆◆◆ /kʌ m/ (comes , coming , came ) The form come is used in the present tense and is the past participle. Come is used in a large number of expressions which are explained under other words in this dictionary. For example, the expression 'to come to terms with something' is explained at 'term'. 1 VERB When a person or thing comes to a particular place, especially to a place where you are, they move there. □ [V prep/adv] Two police officers came into the hall. □ [V prep/adv] Come here, Tom. □ [V prep/adv] You'll have to come with us. □ [V ] We heard the train coming. □ [V ] Can I come too? □ [V v-ing prep/adv] The impact blew out some of the windows and the sea came rushing in.
2 VERB When someone comes to do something, they move to the place where someone else is in order to do it, and they do it. In British English, someone can also come and do something and in American English, someone can come do something. However, you always say that someone came and did something. □ [V to-inf] Eleanor had come to visit her. □ [V and v] Come and meet Roger. □ [V inf] I want you to come visit me.
3 VERB When you come to a place, you reach it. □ [V + to ] He came to a door that led into a passageway.
4 VERB If something comes up to a particular point or down to it, it is tall enough, deep enough, or long enough to reach that point. □ [V up prep] The water came up to my chest. □ [V down prep] I wore a large shirt of Jamie's which came down over my hips.
5 VERB If something comes apart or comes to pieces , it breaks into pieces. If something comes off or comes away , it becomes detached from something else. □ [V adv/prep] The pistol came to pieces, easily and quickly. □ [V adv/prep] The door knobs came off in our hands.
6 V‑LINK You use come in expressions such as come to an end or come into operation to indicate that someone or something enters or reaches a particular state or situation. □ [V + to ] The Communists came to power in 1944. □ [V + into ] I came into contact with very bright Harvard and Yale students. □ [V adj] Their worst fears may be coming true.