comb

1 of 3

noun

1
a
: a toothed instrument used especially for adjusting, cleaning, or confining hair
b
: a structure resembling such a comb
especially : any of several toothed devices used in handling or ordering textile fibers
c
2
a
: a fleshy crest on the head of the domestic chicken and other domestic birds
b
: something (such as the ridge of a roof) resembling the comb of a cock
3
combed adjective
comblike adjective

comb

2 of 3

verb

combed; combing; combs

transitive verb

1
: to draw a comb through for the purpose of arranging or cleaning
2
: to pass across with a scraping or raking action
3
a
: to eliminate (as with a comb) by a thorough going-over
b
: to search or examine systematically
police are combing the city
4
: to use in a combing action

intransitive verb

1
of a wave or its crest : to roll over or break into foam
2
: to make a thorough search
comb through the classified ads

comb

3 of 3

abbreviation

Examples of comb in a Sentence

Verb He combed back his hair. The wool is combed before being spun into yarn. We combed the beach for shells.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Using your fingers or a Gua Sha scalp comb, slowly work through your scalp in circular motions. Eman Bare, Vogue, 19 May 2025 In 2005, for example, CU Boulder developed a Nobel Prize-winning frequency comb technology in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Justin Schwartz, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Verb
Investigators continue to comb through previous jail phone recordings and believe that other incarcerated inmates or employees at the jail could face additional charges for their role assisting in theMay 16 escape and initial cover-up in the hours following the jailbreak, according to the source. Ryan Young, CNN Money, 24 May 2025 Authorities are still combing through digital evidence to determine the relationship between the shooter and victim, with Smith telling reporters the deceased did have a criminal history. Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for comb

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English camb; akin to Old High German kamb comb, Greek gomphos tooth

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of comb was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Comb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comb. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

comb

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a toothed implement used to smooth and arrange the hair or worn in the hair to hold it in place
b
: a toothed instrument used for separating fibers (as of wool or flax)
2
: a fleshy crest on the head of the domestic chicken and some related birds
3
combed adjective

comb

2 of 2 verb
1
: to smooth, arrange, or untangle with a comb
comb one's hair
comb wool
2
: to go over or through carefully in search of something or someone
we combed the beach for shells

More from Merriam-Webster on comb

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!