verb , noun
■ verb / kəmˈbaɪn; NAmE /
1.
combine (sth) (with sth) | combine A and B (together) to come together to form a single thing or group; to join two or more things or groups together to form a single one :
[ v ]
Hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water.
Hydrogen combines with oxygen to form water.
Several factors had combined to ruin our plans.
[ vn ]
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
Combine the eggs with a little flour.
The German team scored a combined total of 652 points.
2.
[ vn ] combine A and / with B to have two or more different features or characteristics; to put two or more different things, features or qualities together :
The hotel combines comfort with convenience.
This model combines a telephone and fax machine.
a kitchen and dining-room combined
We are still looking for someone who combines all the necessary qualities.
They have successfully combined the old with the new in this room.
3.
[ vn ] combine A and / with B to do two or more things at the same time :
The trip will combine business with pleasure.
She has successfully combined a career and bringing up a family.
4.
to come together in order to work or act together; to put two things or groups together so that they work or act together :
[ v ]
They combined against a common enemy.
[ vn ]
the combined effects of the two drugs
You should try to combine exercise with a healthy diet.
It took the combined efforts of both the press and the public to bring about a change in the law.
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IDIOMS
see force noun
■ noun / ˈkɒmbaɪn; NAmE ˈkɑːm-/
1.
( BrE also ˌcombine ˈharvester ) a large farm machine which cuts a crop and separates the grains from the rest of the plant
2.
a group of people or organizations acting together in business
••
WORD ORIGIN
verb and noun sense 2 late Middle English : from Old French combiner or late Latin combinare join two by two, from com- together + Latin bini two together.
noun sense 1 early 20th cent.: short for combine harvester.