What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Combination vs Variation - What's the difference?

combination | variation |

As nouns the difference between combination and variation

is that combination is the act of combining, the state of being combined or the result of combining while variation is the act of varying; a partial change in the form, position, state, or qualities of a thing.

combination

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • The act of combining, the state of being combined or the result of combining.
  • An object formed by combining.
  • A sequence of numbers or letters used to open a combination lock.
  • (mathematics) One or more elements selected from a set without regard to the order of selection.
  • An association or alliance of people for some common purpose.
  • (billiards) A combination shot; a billiard; a shot where the cue ball hits a ball that strikes another ball on the table.
  • motorcycle and sidecar
  • Derived terms

    * recombination

    Synonyms

    *(act of combining) fusion, merger

    Antonyms

    * (act of combining) division, separation * (mathematics) permutation

    See also

    * permutation

    variation

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • The act of varying; a partial change in the form, position, state, or qualities of a thing
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=May-June, author= David Van Tassel], [http://www.americanscientist.org/authors/detail/lee-dehaan Lee DeHaan
  • , title= Wild Plants to the Rescue , volume=101, issue=3, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Plant breeding is always a numbers game.
  • A related but distinct thing.
  • (nautical) The angular difference at the vessel between the direction of true north and magnetic north. Also called magnetic declination.
  • (board games) A line of play that differs from the original.
  • (music) A technique where material is repeated with alterations to the melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, texture, counterpoint or orchestration; but with some invariant characteristic, e.g. a ground bass.
  • Derived terms

    * magnetic variation * theme and variations

    References

    * US FM 55-501 MARINE CREWMAN’S HANDBOOK; 1 December 1999 * * ----