com ‧ bi ‧ na ‧ tion S3 W2 /ˌkɒmbəˈneɪʃ ə n, ˌkɒmbɪˈneɪʃ ə n $ ˌkɑːm-/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ combine ; noun : ↑ combination ; adjective : ↑ combined ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] two or more different things that exist together or are used or put together ⇨ combine
combination of
A combination of factors may be responsible for the increase in cancer.
A combination of tact and authority was needed to deal with the situation.
Certain combinations of sounds are not possible in English.
in combination (with something)
Some drugs which are safe when taken separately are lethal in combination.
2 . [countable] the series of numbers or letters you need to open a combination lock
3 . winning combination a mixture of different people or things that work successfully together
4 . [uncountable] especially American English used before a noun to mean that something has more than one purpose or uses more than one method:
a combination nightclub and café
new combination drug therapies
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THESAURUS
▪ mixture several different substances, ideas, qualities etc that have been put together, especially so that they form one thing:
Pour the mixture into the cake pan and bake for 50 minutes.
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He looked at her with a mixture of admiration and curiosity.
▪ combination two or more different things, substances etc that are used together or work together:
Doctors use a combination of drugs to combat the disease.
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The business failed due to a combination of bad management and a lack of experience.
▪ blend a mixture of two or more things, qualities, or characteristics, especially ones that combine successfully or in a pleasant way:
The England team is a good side, with a nice blend of experience and youthful energy.
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The sauce uses a blend of different ingredients.
▪ a cross between something and something a mixture of very different things – used when you are describing what something looks or sounds like:
The building looked like a cross between a museum and a spaceship.
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Her music sounds like a cross between the Rolling Stones and Amy Winehouse.
▪ hybrid /ˈhaɪbrəd, ˈhaɪbrɪd/ something that is produced by combining two or more things, especially using advanced scientific methods:
Scientists are combining human and animal embryos to create genetic hybrids.
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These industries use a hybrid of different technologies.
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The plant is a hybrid of wheat and rye.
▪ amalgam /əˈmælɡəm/ formal a mixture of different things, in which you can still recognize the original features:
The record is an amalgam of hard rock, jazz, and blues.
▪ synthesis formal something that has been made by combining different things, especially information or ideas:
The essay should be a synthesis of the information from various sources.