conceptual combination
nounUK /kənˈsɛptʃuəl ˌkɒmbɪˈneɪʃən/
US /kənˈsɛptʃuəl ˌkɑːmbəˈneɪʃən/
Putting two ideas together to make a new idea.
Thinking of a flying car is a conceptual combination of a car and a plane.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. In cognitive science, the mental process of joining two or more concepts to form a new one.
Researchers studied conceptual combination by asking people to describe a 'pet bird'.
3. In linguistics, combining words or meanings to create a compound expression.
The phrase 'apple juice' shows conceptual combination of two words.
4. A creative technique where unrelated ideas are linked to spark new inventions.
The team used conceptual combination to design a backpack that charges phones.