Combat
/ˈkɒmbæt/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo engage in a fight or struggle against something or someone.
/ˈkɒmbæt/
To fight or contend against.
The soldiers combated the enemy.
💡 Simply: Combat means to fight against something, like fighting a fire or fighting a bad guy. It's like a big battle!
👶 For kids: To fight or battle.
More Examples
She combated her fear of public speaking.
How It's Used
"The soldiers bravely combated the enemy forces."
"The boxer combated his opponent with skill and precision."
A fight, battle, or struggle, especially between opposing armed forces.
/ˈkɒmbæt/
A fight, battle, or struggle.
The battle was a fierce combat.
💡 Simply: Combat is a fight or a battle, like the kind you see in war movies or video games.
👶 For kids: A fight or battle.
More Examples
The two teams engaged in a brutal combat.
How It's Used
"The combat was fierce and lasted for hours."
"The political debate turned into a heated combat of ideas."
Idioms & expressions
close combat
Fighting at very close range.
"The soldiers engaged in close combat."
From Old French *combatre, from Latin *combattere, from com- "together" + battere "to beat".
The word has been used consistently since the Middle Ages to describe armed conflict.
Memory tip
Think of 'comb' and 'battle' - combining forces to fight.