Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense pins, present participle pinning, past tense, past participle pinned
1. countable noun
Pins are very small thin pointed pieces of metal. They are used in sewing to fasten pieces of material together until they have been sewn.
...needles and pins.
Use pins to keep the braid in place as you work.
Synonyms: tack, nail, needle, safety pin More Synonyms of pin
2. verb
If you pin something on or to something, you attach it with a pin, a drawing pin, or a safety pin.
They pinned a notice to the door. [VERB noun preposition]
Everyone was supposed to dance with the bride and pin money on her dress. [VERB noun preposition]
He had pinned up a map of Finland. [VERB noun with adverb]
Synonyms: fasten, stick, attach, join More Synonyms of pin
3. verb
If someone pins you to something, they press you against a surface so that you cannot move.
I pinned him against the wall. [VERB noun adverb/preposition]
He fought at the bulk that pinned him. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: hold fast, hold down, press, restrain More Synonyms of pin
4. countable noun
A pin is any long narrow piece of metal or wood that is not sharp, especially one that is used to fasten two things together.
...the 18-inch steel pin holding his left leg together.
...a two-pin continental adaptor.
Synonyms: peg, rod, brace, bolt More Synonyms of pin
5. verb
If someone tries to pin something on you or to pin the blame on you, they say, often unfairly, that you were responsible for something bad or illegal.
They're trying to pin it on us. [VERB noun on noun]
The trade unions are pinning the blame for the violence on the government. [VERB noun + on]
6. verb
If you pin your hopes on something or pin your faith on something, you hope very much that it will produce the result you want.
The Democrats are pinning their hopes on the next election. [VERB noun + on]
7. verb
If someone pins their hair up or pins their hair back, they arrange their hair away from their face using hair pins.
Cleanse your face thoroughly and pin back your hair. [VERB noun with adverb]
In an effort to look older she has pinned her hair into a bun. [VERB noun preposition]
8. countable noun
A pin is something worn on your clothing, for example as jewellery, which is fastened with a pointed piece of metal.
[US]
...necklaces, bracelets, and pins.
9. countable noun
A pin is the part of a hand grenade that is pulled out in order to make the grenade explode.
10. See also drawing pin, pins and needles, rolling pin, safety pin
11.
See you could have heard a pin drop
Phrasal verbs:
See pin down
PIN
(pɪn)
singular noun [oft NOUN noun]
Someone's PIN or PIN number is a secret number which they can use, for example, with a bank card to withdraw money from a cash machine or ATM. PIN is an abbreviation for 'personal identification number'.
pin in British English
(pɪn)
noun
1.
a.
a short stiff straight piece of wire pointed at one end and either rounded or having a flattened head at the other: used mainly for fastening pieces of cloth, paper, etc, esp temporarily
b.
(in combination)
pinhole
2. short for cotter pin, hairpin, panel pin, rolling pin, safety pin
3.
an ornamental brooch, esp a narrow one
4.
a badge worn fastened to the clothing by a pin
5.
something of little or no importance (esp in the phrases not careorgive a pin (for))
6.
a peg or dowel
7.
anything resembling a pin in shape, function, etc
8.
(in various bowling games) a usually club-shaped wooden object set up in groups as a target
9. Also called: cotter pin, safety pin
a clip on a hand grenade that prevents its detonation until removed or released
10. nautical
a. belaying pin
b.
the axle of a sheave
c.
the sliding closure for a shackle
11. music
a metal tuning peg on a piano, the end of which is inserted into a detachable key by means of which it is turned
12. surgery
a metal rod, esp of stainless steel, for holding together adjacent ends of fractured bones during healing
13. chess
a position in which a piece is pinned against a more valuable piece or the king
14. golf
the flagpole marking the hole on a green
15.
a.
the cylindrical part of a key that enters a lock
b.
the cylindrical part of a lock where this part of the key fits
16. wrestling
a position in which a person is held tight or immobile, esp with both shoulders touching the ground
17.
a dovetail tenon used to make a dovetail joint
18.
(in Britain) a miniature beer cask containing 41⁄2 gallons
19. (usually plural) informal
a leg
20. be put to the pin on one's collar
verbWord forms: pins, pinning or pinned(transitive)
21.
to attach, hold, or fasten with or as if with a pin or pins
22.
to transfix with a pin, spear, etc
23. (foll by on) informal
to place (the blame for something)
he pinned the charge on his accomplice
24. chess
to cause (an enemy piece) to be effectively immobilized by attacking it with a queen, rook, or bishop so that moving it would reveal a check or expose a more valuable piece to capture
25. Also: underpin
to support (masonry), as by driving in wedges over a beam
Word origin
Old English pinn; related to Old High German pfinn, Old Norse pinni nail
PIN in British English
(pɪn)
noun acronym for
personal identification number: a number used by a holder of a cash card or credit card used in EFTPOS
PIN in American English
(pɪn)
noun
an identification number entered on a keypad in order to gain access to a computer, ATM, etc.
Word origin
p(ersonal) i(dentification) n(umber)
pin in American English
(pɪn)
noun
1.
a peg of wood, metal, etc., used esp. for fastening or holding things together oras a support on which to hang things
2.
a little piece of stiff wire with a pointed end and a flattened or rounded head,used for fastening things together or holding them in place; straight pin
3.
something worthless or insignificant; trifle
4.
a pointed instrument for holding the hair, a hat, etc. in place
5.
clothespin, safety pin, cotter pin, etc.
6.
anything like a pin in form, use, etc.
7.
an ornament, badge, or emblem having a pin or clasp with which it is fastened to the clothing
8. Informal
the leg
usually used in pl.
9. Bowling
any of the bottle-shaped pieces of wood, or wood coated with plastic, at which theball is rolled
10. Golf
a pole with a flag attached, placed in the hole of a green to mark its location
11. Medicine
a metal rod used to hold a broken bone together
12. Music
any of the pegs for regulating the tension of the strings of a piano, harp, etc.
13. Nautical
a.
thole1
b.
any of various pegs or rods used to secure ropes
14. Wrestling
fall (sense 25) fall (sense 25a)
verb transitiveWord forms: pinned or ˈpinning
15.
to fasten with or as with a pin
16.
to pierce with a pin
17.
to hold firmly in one place or position
18. US, Slang
to give one's fraternity pin to, as an informal token of betrothal
Idioms:
pin down
pin someone's ears back
pin something on someone
Word origin
ME pyn < OE pinn, akin to MHG pfinne, a nail, prob. < IE base *bend-, projecting point > MIr benn, peak
PIN in Finance
(pɪn) or personal identification number
abbreviation
(Finance: Banking)
A PIN is a secret number used to withdraw money from an ATM or to authorize a debit card.
Usually when you use a debit card, you must key in a PIN.
Your PIN is the number that you use as a security access code for your bank accounts whenyou use telephone or Internet banking, or an ATM.
A PIN is a secret number used to withdraw money from an ATM or to authorize a debit card.
PIN in Retail
(pɪn) or personal identification number
abbreviation
(Retail: Payment technology)
Your PIN is the number, known only to you, that you type into card readers to confirm your identity when paying by credit or debit card, or when withdrawing money from an ATM.
Sales clerks should always ask customers to enter their PIN when paying by credit card.
Please insert your card in the machine and key in your PIN.
Your PIN is the number, known only to you, that you type into card readers to confirm youridentity when paying by credit or debit card, or when withdrawing money from an ATM.
More idioms containing
pin
pin someone's ears back
pin back your ears
Examples of 'pin' in a sentence
pin
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…
He tried to pin the blame for the murder on another victim.
The Sun (2016)
You could hear a pin drop.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Use hair pins to secure any loose pieces and spray with hairspray.
The Sun (2014)
She is hard to pin down on anything.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Try not to put weight on your arms because it will cause pins and needles.
The Sun (2012)
Pin and stitch back to inside back and skirt sides.
Churchill, Jane (ed.) Collins Complete Books of Soft Furnishings (1993)
Place the other heart on top and pin together.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They pinned one raider to the ground before cops arrived.
The Sun (2010)
It would be cruel to pin the blame on anyone.
The Sun (2013)
Like performing to a sea of bowling pins and booze.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Position the pins close to the teeth of the zip.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
That night she stole back the purse but insisted on keeping the pin and earrings.
Bachmann, Susan (editor) & Barth, Melinda Between Worlds: A Reader, Rhetoric and Handbook (1995)
No one pins a badge on you to say that is what you have become.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Secure with pins to match hair colour.
The Sun (2009)
They will probably arrange blood tests to pin down the cause.
The Sun (2011)
It was covered in fruit and vegetables which were fastened on with metal pins.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He would sit there watching me with his ears pinned back.
Jan Fennell, Foreword by Monty Roberts THE DOG LISTENER: Learning the Language of your Best Friend (2002)
Pin fabric pleats together at each side.
Churchill, Jane (ed.) Collins Complete Books of Soft Furnishings (1993)
Some had pictures of their loved ones pinned to their chests and sang in their memory.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Doing the math makes me reluctant to pin the blame on publishers.
Christianity Today (2000)
Drawings once pinned on the walls of their old classrooms now hang in place in thenew building.
The Sun (2013)
I wouldn't have pinned anything on that.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But before you use one of those pointless safety pins to attach your resignation letter to your boss's forehead, there are other options.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
pin
British English: pin /pɪn/ NOUN
Pins are very small thin pieces of metal with points at one end, which are used to fasten things together.
...a box of needles and pins.
American English: pin
Arabic: دَبُّوس
Brazilian Portuguese: pino
Chinese: 大头针
Croatian: igla
Czech: špendlík
Danish: nål
Dutch: speld
European Spanish: alfiler
Finnish: nuppineula
French: épingle
German: Stecknadel
Greek: καρφίτσα
Italian: spillo
Japanese: ピン
Korean: 핀
Norwegian: pinkode
Polish: szpilka
European Portuguese: alfinete
Romanian: bold
Russian: булавка
Latin American Spanish: alfiler
Swedish: nål
Thai: เข็มหมุด
Turkish: toplu iğne
Ukrainian: шпилька
Vietnamese: ghim
British English: pin VERB
If you pin something on or to something, you attach it with a pin, a drawing pin, or a safety pin.
They pinned a notice to the door.
American English: pin
Brazilian Portuguese: alfinetar
Chinese: 用图钉钉住
European Spanish: sujetar con un alfiler {or} una chincheta {or} un imperdible
French: épingler
German: feststecken
Italian: appuntare
Japanese: ピンで留める
Korean: 핀 등으로 고정하다
European Portuguese: alfinetar
Latin American Spanish: sujetar con un alfiler {or} una chincheta
British English: PIN /pɪn/ NOUN
Someone's PIN or PIN number is a secret number which they can use, for example, with a bank card to withdraw money from a cash machine. PIN is an abbreviation for 'personal identification number'.
Please enter your PIN.
American English: PIN
Arabic: رَقَمُ التَّعْريفُ الشَّخْصِيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: número de identificação pessoal
Chinese: 密码
Croatian: PIN
Czech: PIN osobní identifikační číslo
Danish: pinkode
Dutch: PIN
European Spanish: número de identificación personal
Finnish: tunnusluku
French: code secret
German: Geheimnummer
Greek: αριθμός ΡΙΝ
Italian: PIN
Japanese: 暗証番号
Korean: PIN
Norwegian: PIN-kode
Polish: osobisty numer identyfikacyjny
European Portuguese: número de identificação pessoal
Romanian: PIN
Russian: ПИН-код
Latin American Spanish: número de identificación personal
Swedish: kod
Thai: เลขรหัสลับส่วนตัว
Turkish: kredi kartı şifresi
Ukrainian: PIN-код
Vietnamese: mật khẩu
Translate your text for free
Chinese translation of 'pin'
pin
(pɪn)
n(c)
(used in sewing) 大头(頭)针(針) (dàtóuzhēn) (枚, méi)
(= badge) 饰(飾)针(針) (shìzhēn) (枚, méi)
(in wheel, machine) 轴(軸)钉(釘) (zhóudīng) (颗, kē)
(in bone) 骨钉(釘) (gǔdīng) (根, gēn)
(in grenade) 保险(險)针(針) (bǎoxiǎnzhēn)
(Brit, Elec)
a 3-pin plug三相插头(頭) (sānxiàng chātóu)
vt
(on wall, door, board) 钉(釘)住 (dìngzhù)
(to clothes) 别(別)住 (biézhù)
[person, part of body] (in position) 使不能动(動) (shǐ bùnéng dòng)
pins and needles发(發)麻 (fāmá)
to pin sth on sb把某事归(歸)罪于(於)某人 (bǎ mǒushì guīzuì yú mǒurén)
to pin the blame on sb推说(說)是某人的责(責)任 (tuīshuō shì mǒurén de zérèn)
to pin one's hopes on sth/sb寄希望于(於)某事/某人 (jì xīwàng yú mǒushì/mǒurén)
PIN
(pɪn)
n abbr
(= personal identification number) 密码(碼) (mìmǎ)
1 (noun)
Definition
a short stiff straight piece of wire with a pointed end and a rounded head: used mainly for fastening
Use pins to keep the material in place as you work.
Synonyms
tack
Use a staple gun or upholstery tacks.
nail
A mirror hung on a nail above the washstand.
needle
safety pin
2 (noun)
Definition
a wooden or metal peg
the steel pin holding his left leg together
Synonyms
peg
He builds furniture using wooden pegs instead of nails.
rod
brace
bolt
details right down to the dimensions of nuts and bolts
1 (verb)
Definition
to fasten with a pin or pins
They pinned a notice to the door.
Synonyms
fasten
Use screws to fasten the shelf to the wall.
stick
Stick down any loose bits of flooring.
attach
Attach labels to things before you file them away.
join
The opened link is used to join the two ends of the chain.
fix
Fix the photo to the card using double-sided tape
secure
The frames are secured by horizontal rails to the back wall.
nail
Frank put the first plank down and nailed it in place.
clip
He clipped his flashlight to his belt.
staple
tack
He had tacked this note to the door.
affix
Complete the form and affix four tokens.
2 (verb)
Definition
to seize and hold fast
I pinned him against the wall.
Synonyms
hold fast
hold down
press
The trade unions are pressing him to stand firm.
restrain
He grabbed my arm, partly to restrain me.
constrain
I was constrained by family commitments.
immobilize
pinion
His arms were pinioned against his sides.
Phrasal verbs
See pin someone down
See pin something down
related words
related phobiaenetephobia
Additional synonyms
in the sense of affix
Definition
to attach or fasten
Complete the form and affix four tokens.
Synonyms
attach,
add,
join,
stick on,
bind,
put on,
tag,
glue,
paste,
tack,
fasten,
annex,
append (formal),
subjoin
in the sense of attach
Definition
to join, fasten, or connect
Attach labels to things before you file them away.
Synonyms
affix,
stick,
secure,
bind,
unite,
add,
join,
couple,
link,
tie,
fix,
connect,
lash,
glue,
adhere,
fasten,
annex,
truss,
yoke,
append (formal),
make fast,
cohere,
subjoin,
bootstrap to
in the sense of bolt
Definition
a metal rod or pin that has a head and a screw thread to take a nut
details right down to the dimensions of nuts and bolts
Synonyms
pin,
rod,
peg,
screw,
rivet,
fastener
Synonyms of 'pin'
pin
Explore 'pin' in the dictionary
All related terms of 'pin'
p-i-n
p-type , intrinsic , n-type : a form of construction of semiconductor devices
I-pin
a port in S central China , in Sichuan province : a commercial centre. Pop: 784 000 (2005 est)
pin-up
A pin-up is an attractive man or woman who appears on posters , often wearing very few clothes .
end pin
the adjustable metal spike attached to the bottom of a cello , double bass , etc, that supports it while it is being played
pin boy
a person who sets up the pins and returns the ball to the bowler at a bowling alley that is not equipped with automatic pinsetters
pin oak
a North American oak tree, Quercus palustris
PIN pad
a small keypad at a point of sale on which someone making a purchase using a credit or debit card types his or her PIN to confirm the purchase
tie-pin
A tie-pin is a thin narrow object with a pin on it which is used to pin a person's tie to their shirt .
axle-pin
a pin that holds an axle in place
bobby pin
A bobby pin is a small piece of metal or plastic bent back on itself, which someone uses to hold their hair in position .
dowel pin
a wooden or metal peg that fits into two corresponding holes to join two adjacent parts
panel pin
a light slender nail with a narrow head
pin bone
a hip bone on a cow , horse or similar animal, that sticks out
pin curl
a small section of hair wound in a circle and secured with a hairpin to set it in a curl
pin down
If you try to pin something down , you try to discover exactly what, where, or when it is.
pin-eyed
(of flowers, esp primulas ) having the stigma in the mouth of the corolla , on the end of a long style with the stamens lower in the tube
pin grass
common storksbill , a weed with fernlike leaves
pin joint
a mechanical joint that will transmit axial load but will not transmit torque
pin money
Pin money is small amounts of extra money that someone earns or gets in order to buy things that they want but that they do not really need .
pin rail
a strong wooden rail or bar containing holes for belaying pins to which lines are fastened on sailing vessels
pin table
a games machine on which pinball is played. It consists of a sloping table with objects that a ball hits as it rolls down
pin tuck
a narrow ornamental fold used esp on shirt fronts and dress bodices
shear pin
an easily replaceable pin inserted in a machine at a critical point and designed to shear and stop the machine if the load becomes too great
split pin
a metal pin made by bending double a wire , often of hemispherical section, so that it can be passed through a hole in a nut , shaft , etc, to secure another part by bending back the ends of the wire
taper pin
a short round metal rod having a small amount of taper so that when driven into a hole it tightens on the taper so that it can act as a stop or wedge
wrest pin
(on a piano , harp , etc) a pin around which one end of a string is wound : it may be turned by means of a tuning key to alter the tension of the string. In a piano the wrest pin is embedded in the wrest plank
wrist pin
a cylindrical boss or pin attached to the side of a wheel parallel with the axis , esp one forming a bearing for a crank
cotter pin
a split pin secured , after passing through holes in the parts to be attached, by spreading the ends
drawing pin
A drawing pin is a short pin with a broad, flat top which is used for fastening papers or pictures to a board, wall , or other surface.
firing pin
the part of the firing mechanism of a firearm that ignites the charge by striking the primer
gudgeon pin
the pin through the skirt of a piston in an internal-combustion engine , to which the little end of the connecting rod is attached
pin clover
the European forage plant, Erodium cicutarium ; alfilaria
pin wrench
a wrench fitted with a cylindrical pin that registers in a hole in the part to be rotated, used to improve the application of the turning moment
piston pin
the pin through the skirt of a piston in an internal-combustion engine , to which the little end of the connecting rod is attached
rolling pin
A rolling pin is a cylinder that you roll backwards and forwards over uncooked pastry in order to make the pastry flat.
safety pin
A safety pin is a bent metal pin used for fastening things together . The point of the pin has a cover so that when the pin is closed it cannot hurt anyone.
scatter pin
a small decorative pin usually worn in groups of two or three
swivel pin
the most important person in an organization
belaying pin
a cylindrical , sometimes tapered pin , usually of metal or wood, that fits into a hole in a pin or fife rail : used for belaying
Ha-erh-pin
a city in NE China , capital of Heilongjiang province on the Songhua River: founded by the Russians in 1897; centre of tsarist activities after the October Revolution in Russia (1917). Pop: 2 989 000 (2005 est)
straight pin
→ pin (sense 2 )
chip and PIN
Chip and PIN is a method of paying for goods you have bought by using both a bank card and a PIN number.
fraternity pin
a pin worn on clothing that indicates membership in a fraternity
two-pin plug
a plug that has two pins for inserting into a socket
three-pin plug
an electrical plug with three pins or metal projections to fit into a socket
five-pin bowling
a bowling game using five pins , played esp in Canada
ten-pin bowling
Ten-pin bowling is a game in which you try to knock down ten objects shaped like bottles by rolling a heavy ball towards them. It is usually played in a place called a bowling alley .
crankpin
a short cylindrical bearing surface fitted between two arms of a crank and set parallel to the main shaft of the crankshaft
pinprick
A very small spot of something can be described as a pinprick .
pinstripe
Pinstripes are very narrow vertical stripes found on certain types of clothing . Businessmen's suits often have pinstripes.
All related terms of 'pin'
pin down
drawing pin
图(圖)钉(釘) túdīng [ 枚 méi ] [ 美 = thumbtack ]
rolling pin
擀面(麵)杖 gǎnmiànzhàng [ 根 gēn ]
safety pin
安全别(別)针(針) ānquán biézhēn [ 枚 méi ]
a 3-pin plug
三相插头(頭) sānxiàng chātóu
to pin sth on sb
把某事归(歸)罪于(於)某人 bǎ mǒushì guīzuì yú mǒurén
to pin the blame on sb
推说(說)是某人的责(責)任 tuīshuō shì mǒurén de zérèn
to pin one's hopes on sth/sb
寄希望于(於)某事/某人 jì xīwàng yú mǒushì/mǒurén
spell
( period ) 一段时(時)间(間) yī duàn shíjiān
to pin sb down (to sth)
迫使某人履行(某事) pòshǐ mǒurén lǚxíng (mǒushì)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of clip
Definition
to attach or hold together with a clip
He clipped his flashlight to his belt.
Synonyms
attach,
fix,
secure,
connect,
pin,
staple,
fasten,
affix,
hold
in the sense of constrain
Definition
to limit, restrict, or inhibit
I was constrained by family commitments.
Synonyms
restrict,
confine,
curb,
restrain,
rein,
constrict,
hem in,
straiten,
check,
chain
in the sense of fix
Definition
to attach or place permanently
Fix the photo to the card using double-sided tape
Synonyms
place,
join,
stick (informal),
attach,
set,
position,
couple,
plant,
link,
establish,
tie,
settle,
secure,
bind,
root,
connect,
locate,
pin,
install,
anchor,
glue,
cement,
implant,
embed,
fasten,
make fast
in the sense of join
Definition
to bring into contact
The opened link is used to join the two ends of the chain.
Synonyms
connect,
unite,
couple,
link,
marry,
tie,
combine,
attach,
knit,
cement,
adhere,
fasten,
annex,
add,
splice,
yoke,
append (formal)
in the sense of nail
Definition
a piece of metal with a point at one end and a head at the other, hit with a hammer to join two objects together
A mirror hung on a nail above the washstand.
Synonyms
tack,
spike,
rivet,
sprig,
hobnail,
brad,
clout nail
in the sense of nail
Definition
to attach (something) with nails
Frank put the first plank down and nailed it in place.
Synonyms
fasten,
fix,
secure,
attach,
pin,
hammer (informal),
tack,
beat
in the sense of pinion
Definition
to confine
His arms were pinioned against his sides.
Synonyms
immobilize,
tie,
bind,
chain,
confine,
fasten,
shackle,
pin down,
fetter,
manacle
in the sense of press
Definition
to force or compel
The trade unions are pressing him to stand firm.
Synonyms
urge,
force,
beg,
petition,
sue,
enforce,
insist on,
compel,
constrain,
exhort (formal),
implore,
enjoin,
pressurize,
entreat,
importune (formal),
supplicate
in the sense of restrain
Definition
to hold (someone) back from some action
He grabbed my arm, partly to restrain me.
Synonyms
hold back,
hold,
control,
check,
contain,
prevent,
restrict,
handicap,
confine,
curb,
hamper,
rein,
harness,
subdue,
hinder,
constrain,
curtail,
bridle,
debar,
keep under control,
have on a tight leash,
straiten
in the sense of secure
Definition
to attach; make fast or firm
The frames are secured by horizontal rails to the back wall.
Synonyms
attach,
stick,
fix,
bind,
pin,
lash,
glue,
fasten,
rivet
Additional synonyms
in the sense of stick
Definition
to fasten or be fastened by or as if by an adhesive