Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - combine

~1 v 1 if you combine two or more different things, ideas, or qualities or if they combine, they begin to exist or work together  (I'm looking for a job in which I can combine the different aspects of my experience so far. | combine to do sth)  (Several factors had combined to harm our friendship. | combine sth with)  (The new software package combines power with maximum flexibility. | combined with)  (Heat treatment is most effective if combined with regular physiotherapy. | combined effect/effects (=the result of two or more different things used or mixed together))  (The combined effects of the heat and too much alcohol made Sheila feel nauseous.) 2 if two or more different substances, liquids etc combine or if you combine them, they mix or join together to produce a new single substance, liquid etc  (combine to do sth)  (Different amino acids combine to form proteins. | combine sth)  (Combine all the ingredients in a salad bowl. | combine sth with)  (Steel is produced by combining iron with carbon.) 3 to do two very different activities at the same time  (combine sth with)  (You can't combine studying for your exams with a wild social life! | combine sth and sth)  (It's no easy task combining family responsibilities and a full-time job! | combine business with pleasure (=work and enjoy yourself at the same time)) 4 if two or more groups, organizations etc combine or if you combine them, they join or work together in order to do something  (combine to do sth)  (Two of the smaller groups had combined to form one large team. | combine sth)  (a report on the advantages of combining small village schools) ~2 n 1 also combine harvester a machine used by farmers to cut grain, separate the seeds from it, and clean it 2 a group of people or organizations who work together for a particular purpose  (The factory was sold to a British combine after the war.)