I saw several times that often some data describing certain
algebraic objects,
eg the set of cells of a simplical complex 
or a Cech cycle of a chosen coving of a variety
are called *"combinatorial data"* or "encoding combinatorial data".

My question is simply what is the justification of the
name "combinatorial" here? what is combinatorial on these data?

More generally can it be precised when a certain data
describing an algebraical object is called "combinatorial"?