合并 means 'to merge' or 'to combine'—two or more separate entities coming together into a single unit. The character 并 (bìng) conveys the idea of 'side by side' or 'simultaneously,' while 合 (hé) means 'to join' or 'to unite.' Together, they emphasize a formal, intentional integration, often with structural or organizational implications—not just casual mixing. This verb is commonly used in business, technology, law, and administration: companies merge, data files are combined, government departments consolidate, or digital layers are unified in design software.

It is typically transitive and often followed by an object (e.g., 合并两家公司). While it can describe physical joining, its primary use is abstract and institutional. It carries a neutral-to-formal register and rarely appears in casual daily speech unless discussing official matters. Unlike simple verbs like 结合 (jiéhé), 合并 implies full integration—loss of original independent status—and often involves authority, planning, or legal process.