Definition of pin
1a : a piece of solid material (such as wood or metal) used especially for fastening things together or as a support by which one thing may be suspended from anotherb obsolete : the center peg of a target; also : the center itselfc : something that resembles a pin especially in slender elongated form an electrical connector pind (1) : one of the pieces constituting the target in various games (such as bowling) (2) : the peg at which a quoit is pitched (3) : the staff of the flag marking a hole on a golf coursee : a peg for regulating the tension of the strings of a musical instrumentf : the part of a key stem that enters a lockg : a belaying pin
2a (1) : a very thin small pointed metal pin with a head used especially for fastening cloth (2) : little, trifle bother them all! I don't care a pin about them — Bram Stokerb : an ornament or emblem fastened to clothing with a pinc (1) : bobby pin (2) : hairpin (3) : safety pin
3 : leg —usually used in plural wobbly on his pins
4 : a fall in wrestling
From the M-W Editors
Examples of pin in a Sentence
He handed out pins with the peace sign on them.
a cat that was still a little unsteady on its pins after anesthesia
Origin and Etymology of pin
Middle English, from Old English pinn (akin to Old High German pfinn peg), perhaps from Latin pinna quill, feather — more at pen
First Known Use: before 12th century
pin
Definition of pin
pinned
;pinning
transitive verb
1a : to fasten, join, or secure with a pinb : to hold fast or immobilec : to present (a young woman) with a fraternity pin as a pledge of affection
2a : fasten pinned his hopes on a miracle pin the blame on someone elseb : to assign the blame or responsibility for pin the robbery on a night watchmanc : to define or determine clearly or precisely —usually used with down it is hard to pin down exactly when things changed — Katharine Whittemore
3a : to make (a chess opponent's piece) unable to move without exposing the king to check or a valuable piece to captureb of a wrestler : to secure a fall over (an opponent)
Examples of pin in a Sentence
She pinned a rose to her dress.
The general pinned the medal on the soldier.
She pinned up her hair.
He pinned a sign on the wall.
The passengers were pinned under the wreckage.
The guards pinned his arms to his sides.
She was pinned against the side of the car.
14th Century
First Known Use of pin
14th century
pin
Definition of pin
1 : of or relating to a pin
2 of leather : having a grain suggesting the heads of pins
Circa 1523
First Known Use of pin
circa 1523
PIN Defined for English Language Learners
pin
playDefinition of pin for English Language Learners
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: a thin, pointed piece of stiff wire with a rounded head at one end that is used especially for fastening pieces of cloth
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: a thin, pointed piece of stiff wire with a decoration at one end
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: a small usually circular object that has writing and often a picture on it and that has a pin on the back so that it can be fastened to clothing, bags, etc.
pin
Definition of pin for English Language Learners
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: to fasten or attach (something) with a pin
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: to prevent or stop (someone or something) from moving by holding or pressing firmly against something
PIN Defined for Kids
Definition of pin for Students
1 : a small pointed piece of wire with a rounded head used especially for fastening pieces of cloth
2 : something (as an ornament or badge) fastened to the clothing by a pin
3 : a slender pointed piece (as of wood or metal) usually having the shape of a cylinder used to fasten articles together or in place
4 : one of ten pieces set up as the target in bowling
Definition of pin for Students
pinned
;pinning
1 : to fasten or join with a pin She pinned a sign on the wall.
2 : to prevent or be prevented from moving The guards pinned his arms to his sides.
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of pin
1: a metal rod driven into or through a fractured bone to immobilize it
2: a metal rod driven into the root of a reconstructed tooth to provide support for a crown or into the jaw to provide support for an artificial tooth
pin
Medical Definition of pin
pinned
;pinning
: to fasten, join, or secure with a pin
PIN
Medical Definition of PIN
prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia
Learn More about pin
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See words that rhyme with pin Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pin Spanish Central: Translation of pin Nglish: Translation of pin for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pin for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pin
Seen and Heard
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