tin

play

noun \ˈtin\

Updated on: 26 Jul 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 element table
2a : 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

tin

adjective

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

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
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
Their price to collectors has varied (low of about $28,000 for a tin in 1998 to a high of $75,000 in 1993).

— by chuck shepherd, idahostatesman, "Chuck Shepherd is retiring from ‘News of the Weird’," 6 July 2017
The Greeks and Romans knew about gold, silver, copper, iron, tin and lead, but in terms of metals, that was it.

— kat eschner, Smithsonian, "Creating a Full Palette of Blues," 27 June 2017
Combine ingredients, with ice into mixing tin, shake and strain into glass. 2.

— lauren delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "How to make a summer cocktail (or two)," 21 June 2017
But five months into the Trump presidency, such tin-pot theatrics have become commonplace.

— tina nguyen, The Hive, "Trump Appointees Take Turns Praising Him in Bizarre Cabinet Meeting," 12 June 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

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

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

play

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

play

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

play

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 element table