combat
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
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Military. active, armed fighting with enemy forces.
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a fight, struggle, or controversy, as between two persons, teams, or ideas.
noun
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a fight, conflict, or struggle
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an action fought between two military forces
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( as modifier )
a combat jacket
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a fight between two individuals; duel
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fighting at close quarters
verb
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(tr) to fight or defy
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(intr; often foll by with or against) to struggle or strive (against); be in conflict (with)
to combat against disease
Usage
What does combat mean? Combat is most commonly used in a military context to refer to active fighting among opposing armies. To engage in combat is to engage in fighting. This kind of combat most commonly takes place on a battlefield or warzone on the ground (called a combat zone). Aerial combat involves fighting in the air among air forces. Hand-to-hand combat involves close fighting, often literally with one’s hands. Combat is often used as a modifier (adjective) in terms that refer to things related to or involving combat, such as combat training, combat medic, combat fatigue, and combat boots. Combat is sometimes used more broadly or figuratively to refer to active conflict between two people or groups, as in The two corporations are preparing to do combat in the courtroom. The term verbal combat refers to fighting with words. Combat is also commonly used as a verb meaning to oppose or work to defeat. It’s especially used when the thing to be defeated is intangible or abstract, as in We need to combat climate change or Our organization works to combat poverty. The figurative senses of the verbs fight and battle are close synonyms of this sense of combat. The sides engaging in combat can be called combatants. The adjective combative means inclined to fight. Example: The objective of basic training is to prepare our soldiers for combat.
Synonym Usage
See fight
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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uncombatedadjective
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combaternoun
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self-combatingadjective
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intercombatnoun
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uncombatableadjective
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precombatnoun
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combatableadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has combatedperfect 3rd person singular
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have combattedperfect
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have combatedperfect
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has combattedperfect 3rd person singular
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are combattingprogressive
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has been combattingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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combatingparticiple
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have been combattingperfect progressive
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combatssingular 3rd person
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is combattingprogressive 3rd person singular
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is combatingprogressive 3rd person singular
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has been combatingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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are combatingprogressive
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am combattingprogressive 1st person singular
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am combatingprogressive 1st person singular
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have been combatingperfect progressive
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combattingparticiple
Past
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had combattedperfect
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had combatedperfect
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were combatingprogressive plural
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had been combattingperfect progressive
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was combatingprogressive singular
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were combattingprogressive plural
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combattedsimple
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had been combatingperfect progressive
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was combattingprogressive singular
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combattedparticiple
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combatedsimple
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combatedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of combat
First recorded in 1535–45; from Middle French combat (noun), combattre (verb), from Late Latin combattere, from Latin com- com- + Late Latin battere, from Latin battuere “to strike, beat”
Explanation
Combat is fighting between two groups of armed forces. When you engage in combat, typically this means you engage in fighting that involves weapons. Combat comes from the Latin com- meaning "together with" and battere meaning "to fight." Combat can be used as a modifier; for example, a combat zone is an area where fighting is taking place. The word combat can also be used to refer to the action of fighting against something to prevent it. An after-school program for kids is working to combat the issue of street violence by creating a safe space where kids can go as an alternative.
Vocabulary lists containing combat
Vocabulary from the Introduction to "Reality is Broken" by Jane McGonigal
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Memorial Day: Words of Respect and Remembrance
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Beowulf vocabulary
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lou Macari played for Celtic and Manchester United, and had two spells as Stoke manager before setting up a foundation to help combat homelessness in the city.
From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026
With a healthy dose of RuPaul’s signature wit and enough drag queen-friendly lighting to combat Hollywood’s run of dimly lit features, the team revives the disaster spoof with stylish aplomb.
From Salon • Jun. 11, 2026
As Mr. Pelley explained, “my colleagues and I have worked together 10, 20, 30 years. We travel together. We dine together. We go into literal combat together.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
Many wished for strength to combat physical or mental illness.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
That way, if people were transferred or killed in combat, there were always competent airwomen ready to fly the open-cockpit Po-2s on their nightly harassment missions.
From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
