Combine

The word combine is both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it means to join, merge, or bring together two or more elements into a single unit. As a noun, it can refer to a device, organization, or event that embodies the act of combining.

In agricultural usage, a combine or combine harvester is a large machine that performs multiple steps—reaping, threshing, and winnowing—within a single pass to harvest grain such as wheat, corn, or oats. Modern combines are self-propelled and may include features like headers, grain tanks, and straw walkers. Their development increased harvesting efficiency and reduced manual labor.

In computing and data processing, "combine" denotes merging data, streams, or results from separate sources into a cohesive whole. In programming, combinators are higher-order functions used to build complex behavior from simpler parts. In the Apple ecosystem, Combine is a reactive programming framework introduced with Swift in 2019 for handling asynchronous events using publishers and subscribers.

In sports, the NFL Scouting Combine is an annual event where college football players undergo standardized physical and mental tests to evaluate their potential for professional leagues.

The term derives from Latin combinare, meaning to join together. Related concepts include union, merger, synthesis, and data integration.