tin

noun \ ˈtin \

Updated on: 19 May 2018

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

—

tinful

play \ˈtin-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

Add the other ingredients (half in each tin), ice cubes, and shake.

— julia thiel, Chicago Reader, "Cocktail Challenge / Food & Drink A Sportsman's Club bartender creates a tiki cocktail to pair with crab rangoon," 7 May 2018
Combine bourbon, water, syrup, juice and cubed ice in a shaker tin.

— azcentral, "6 mint (and other) julep recipes for the Kentucky Derby," 4 May 2018
The white, tin-roof building in the town of Socopó once held nearly 400 children, yet closed two months ago in a protest by teachers and parents at low salaries and lack of school lunches.

— vivian sequera and francisco aguilar, The Christian Science Monitor, "As economic crisis worsens, schools empty in Venezuela," 25 Apr. 2018
The stately library is finished in rich cherry wood and has a tin roof.

— joey morona, cleveland.com, "$2.5 million Boston Heights home is fit for a president: Akron House of the Week," 23 Apr. 2018
Green Fields of America musicians include: Tim Britton (tin whistle, flute, uilleann pipes), Denis Cahill (guitar), Liz Carroll (fiddle), Karan Casey (vocals), Fr.

— mick moloney, Smithsonian, "How One Impromptu Jam Session Spawned a Sweeping Irish American Music Revival," 16 Mar. 2018
Most seniors are looking for cannabis products that provide relief but not intoxication, and York recommends something like Mr. Moxey's Mints, which come in a small tin and contain one milligram of THC to five milligrams of CBD per piece.

— samantha swindler, OregonLive.com, "Seniors trying cannabis say Jeff Sessions is behind the times (Commentary)," 7 Feb. 2018
Breakfast is easy and adorable with these miniature Dutch baby pancakes baked in a muffin tinThis easy-to-make, adorable dish is the perfect Valentine’s Day brunch treat.

— Sunset, "How to Make Raspberry Baby Dutch Babies," 22 Jan. 2018
The most valuable precious stones from the Crown Jewels were hidden in a cookie tin and buried at Windsor Castle to keep them from being stolen by the Nazis during World War II, according to a new report.

— simon perry, PEOPLE.com, "How the British Royals Hid the Crown Jewels from the Nazis — in a Cookie Tin," 12 Jan. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

tin Synonyms

Synonyms

barrel, can, canister (also cannister), drum;

Related Words

bucket, pail;

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

Holy upset! Saltie Girl’s tinned sardines beat Island Creek Oyster Bar’s oysters in the Boston Globe Munch Madness tournament’s Sweet 16 round.

— devra first, BostonGlobe.com, "A Munch Madness upset! Saltie Girl topples Island Creek Oyster Bar," 26 Mar. 2018
The condom tins indeed look like makeup, and now with Urban Outfitter's partnership, hopefully carrying condoms and lube in your purse will become as common as toting around chapstick.

— sophie saint thomas, Allure, "Urban Outfitters Now Sells Condoms and Lube From Brand Lovability," 10 Mar. 2018
Luckily, this is one restaurant trend that's easy to take home, provided you get the right tinned fish.

— karen palmer, Bon Appetit, "The Best Ways to Serve Tinned Fish," 23 Oct. 2017
However, royals eat the Continental way, holding their forks in the left hand, tines down, and the knife in the right.

— maria mercedes lara, PEOPLE.com, "6 Royal Etiquette Lessons Meghan Markle Must Master If She Becomes a Princess," 19 Oct. 2017
The aid to the 600 families of Ah Nauk Pyin delivered on Wednesday included rice, oil, beans, salt, sugar and tinned fish for a month.

— wa lone, The Christian Science Monitor, "Food aid reaches Rohingya Muslims still in Myanmar," 12 Oct. 2017
Staff believe the soup is at least 46-years-old, and was donated along with other decades-old items, including a can of sweetcorn from the 1980s and tinned carrots, WalesOnline reported.

— mary bowerman, USA TODAY, "Foodbank reminds people to check expiration dates after receiving decades old can of soup," 9 Oct. 2017
The movie slows to a crawl when Hepburn delicately picks up her fork in her left hand, tines down, and her spoon in her right, curved gently upward, and begins to compose a salad from a serving dish.

— dwight garner, Town & Country, "Table Trouble," 5 June 2013
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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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

Law Dictionary

TIN

abbreviation

legal Definition of TIN

taxpayer identification number

Learn More about tin

See words that rhyme with tin Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tin Spanish Central: Translation of tin Nglish: Translation of tin for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of tin for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tin

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up tin? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

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tin

Definition of tin

tin

tinful

Examples of tin in a Sentence

Recent Examples of tin from the Web

Origin and Etymology of tin

tin Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

tin

Definition of tin

Recent Examples of tin from the Web

First Known Use of tin

TIN

Definition of TIN

Financial Definition of TIN

What It Is

How It Works

Why It Matters

Phrases Related to TIN

Related Phrases

TIN Defined for English Language Learners

tin

Definition of tin for English Language Learners

TIN Defined for Kids

tin

Definition of tin for Students

Medical Dictionary

tin

medical Definition of tin

Law Dictionary

TIN

legal Definition of TIN

Learn More about tin

Seen and Heard

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