combat

SayKOM-bat/ˈkɑmˌbæt/UK/ˈkɒmˌbæt/

As a verbkuhm-BAT

Verbcombats, combating, combated

2 meanings of combat

1
battlenoununcountable
Fighting, especially with weapons, or a struggle to win or achieve something.
Like a fight between two armies.
The soldiers trained for months before they saw combat.
Many men were wounded in close combat.
UsageSay see combat for really fighting in a war, and in combat for during a fight.
2
fight againstverbtransitive
To fight against someone, or to try hard to stop or reduce something bad.
Like fighting back against something that is hurting you.
Doctors work hard to combat the spread of disease.
The new law helps combat crime in big cities.
UsageMost often used for problems: combat crime, combat disease.

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Origin

It came into English in the 16th century from French. It goes back to Latin words meaning 'with' and 'to beat or strike'.

Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Combat entered English from French in the 16th century. en.wiktionary.org
One Latin component means 'with'. en.wiktionary.org
The other Latin component means 'to beat or strike'. en.wiktionary.org