Combination Noun ˌkɒmbɪˈneɪʃn ˌkɑːmbɪˈneɪʃn Tragedy Due Factors Recommend

• the tragedy was due to a combination of factors.
• they recommend reducing expenditure, increasing taxes, or a combination of the two.
• his unique combination of skills
• his treatment was a combination of surgery, radiation and drugs.

combination

1. two or more things joined or mixed together to form a single unit
• The tragedy was due to a combination of factors.
• They recommend reducing expenditure, increasing taxes, or a combination of the two.
• his unique combination of skills
• His treatment was a combination of surgery, radiation and drugs.
• What an unusual combination of flavours!
• Try different combinations of exotic fruit in a fresh fruit salad.
• The best approach may well be to use a combination of both methods.
• Technology and good management. That's a winning combination (= one that will certainly be successful).
• With 11 languages, the number of possible combinations, translating one into another, is 110.
• Many course combinations are possible.
• They continue to record and play concerts solo and in various combinations.

Extra Examples

• High debt and low earnings are a lethal combination.
• The band played with a winning combination of gusto and precision.
• a delicious combination of flavours
• a delicious combination of herbs and spices
• an unusual colour combination
2. the act of joining or mixing together two or more things to form a single unit
• The firm is working on a new product in combination with several overseas partners.
• These paints can be used individually or in combination.
• The materials can be used singly or in combination.
• Combination of these methods allowed us to achieve highly consistent results.
3. a series of numbers or letters used to open a combination lock
• I can't remember the combination.
4. a piece of underwear covering the body and legs, worn in the past

Word Origin

• late Middle English: from late Latin combinatio(n-), from the verb combinare ‘join two by two’, from com- ‘together’ + Latin bini ‘two together’.