pinned down; pinning down; pins down
Definition of pin down
1
: to cause or force (someone) to make a definite statement or decision about something
Reporters tried to pin him down on the specific changes he wants to make to the tax laws.
2
: to find out (something) with certainty
Can you pin down when the change occurred? I'm trying to pin the source of the problem down.
Learn More About pin down
Statistics for pin down
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Pin down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pin%20down. Accessed 3 Oct. 2022.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Test Your Vocabulary
Odd Habits and Quirks
-
- Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Favorite New Words in the Dictionary
Level up your vocabulary with these newly added w...
Take the quiz
-
Name That Thing Mega Quiz!
Test your visual vocabulary!
Take the quiz
-
True or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something a...
Take the quiz
-
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Share pin down
Time Traveler for pin down
The first known use of pin down was in 1765
See more words from the same year