tin

noun \ ˈtin \

Updated on: 13 Oct 2017

Definition of tin

1 :a soft faintly bluish-white lustrous low-melting crystalline metallic element that is malleable and ductile at ordinary temperatures and that is used especially in containers, as a protective coating, in tinfoil, and in soft solders and alloys — see Chemical Elements Table

2 a :a box, can, pan, vessel, or a sheet made of tinplate; broadly :such a container of any metal (such as aluminum)

b :a metal container and its contents

a tin of tomatoes

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tin

adjective

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tinful

play \-ˌfu̇l\ noun

See tin defined for English-language learners

See tin defined for kids

Examples of tin in a Sentence

row upon row of tins containing food for an emergency that never happened

Recent Examples of tin from the Web

With more than 3.5 million tons of reserves at a grade of 4.3 percent of tin per ton, Bisie will deliver an internal rate of return of 49 percent, according to Alphamin’s website.

— kevin crowley, Bloomberg.com, "Congolese Troops to Protect World's Richest Untapped Tin Deposit," 22 Aug. 2017
Garden Fresh Gimlet •2 cucumber wheels •2 basil leaves • 1 ounce fresh lime juice • 3/4 ounce simple syrup •2 ounces Fords Gin Combine in a cocktail shaker tin.

— by malcolm mayhew photo by andrew buckley, star-telegram, "An Aromatic Apéritif: Cork & Pig Tavern’s Garden Fresh Gimlet is delightful," 2 Aug. 2017
In the decade that followed — and over strenuous opposition from the lead industry — the findings of Dr. Needleman and others spurred stiffer regulation of lead in gas, tin cans, paint, household pipes and other products.

— benedict carey, New York Times, "Dr. Herbert Needleman, Who Saw Lead’s Wider Harm to Children, Dies at 89," 27 July 2017
Franklin’s men perished from scurvy, starvation and apparent lead poisoning from food tins, with some resorting to cannibalism toward the end.

— frank jordans, The Seattle Times, "Northwest Passage’s history marked by dangers, death," 19 July 2017
Hardware hacker 'wermy' has been working on an emulator that can fit inside an Altoids tin.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "How to Build a Tiny DIY Game Console Into an Altoids Tin," 18 July 2017
He and Jessop pointed out touches such as original windows with wavy glass, original wood on support columns in the first-floor gallery, and the decorative tin ceiling, which dates to the 1920s, in the main theater on the second floor.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Havre de Grace Opera House opening week is Aug. 6-13," 17 July 2017
Light sails are reflective surfaces resembling tin foil that use photons from a source of light, such as a laser beam or the sun, to propel a spacecraft.

— shannon stirone, Popular Mechanics, "Starshot: Inside the Ludicrous Plan to Send a Spacecraft to Our Neighbor Star," 11 July 2017
Her husband, Allan, recalls the Jewish National Fund tin in the small three-room apartment his family shared in the Bronx.

— randall p. lieberman, Jewish Journal, "$1 million donation to expand Federation's Israel engagement," 6 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tin

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German zin tin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

tin Synonyms

Synonyms

barrel, canister (also cannister), drum, can

Related Words

bucket, pail; cannikin; tin can

tin

verb

Definition of tin

tinned; tinning

transitive verb

1 :to cover or plate with tin or a tin alloy

2 :to put up or pack in tins :can

tinned peaches

Recent Examples of tin from the Web

Insert the fork tines straight into the ground to a depth of 6 to 8 inches and then pull them straight out.

— dan gill, NOLA.com, "Will the recent flood damage your lawn and garden?," 12 Aug. 2017

First Known Use of tin

14th century

TIN

abbreviation

Definition of TIN

taxpayer identification number

Financial Definition of TIN

TIN

abbreviation

What It Is

Also called an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), a taxpayer identification number (TIN) is a nine-digit number that the IRS uses to identify individuals who do not have and are not required to obtain a Social Security number.

How It Works

TINs always begin with the number 9. Similar to Social Security numbers, TINs take the XXX-XX-XXXX pattern. The fourth and fifth digits always fall in the 70-88, 90-92, and 94-99 ranges. People can apply for a TIN using IRS Form W-7 ("Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number").

TINs are for tax purposes only; they do not replace Social Security numbers, authorize a person to work in the United States, or create eligibility for Social Security or other benefits. The IRS issues TINs regardless of immigration status because people both inside and outside the United States may have tax obligations to the United States under the Internal Revenue Code.

Why It Matters

TINs are not the same as Employer Identification Numbers (EINs). It’s also important to note that TINs are for federal tax purposes; states may have additional identification requirements for taxpayers who do not have Social Security numbers.

Source: Investing Answers

TIN Defined for English Language Learners

tin

noun

Definition of tin for English Language Learners

: a soft, shiny, bluish-white metal that has many different uses
: a container or plate made of metal
: a decorative metal box with a cover or lid

TIN Defined for Kids

tin

noun \ ˈtin \

Definition of tin for Students

1 :a soft bluish white metallic chemical element used chiefly in combination with other metals or as a coating to protect other metals

2 :something (as a can or sheet) made from tinplate

a tin of cookies

Medical Dictionary

tin

noun \ ˈtin \

medical Definition of tin

:a soft faintly bluish white lustrous low-melting crystalline metallic element that is malleable and ductile at ordinary temperatures and that is used as a protective coating, in tinfoil, and in soft solders and alloys —symbol Sn — see Chemical Elements Table