tin

1 of 3

noun

ˈtin 

1

: a soft faintly bluish-white lustrous low-melting crystalline metallic element with atomic number 50 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

—often used before another noun

tin cans

a tin roof

see Chemical Elements Table

2

plural tins

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

tin adjective

tinful

ˈtin-ˌfu̇l 

noun

tin

2 of 3

verb

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

TIN

3 of 3

abbreviation

taxpayer identification number

Synonyms

Noun

• barrel
• drum

Examples of tin in a Sentence

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The event will feature charrería performances featuring rope tricks by charro Christian Navarrete; a Mexican tin art workshop; spinning and weaving demonstrations; and hands-on activities and games for children. —Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025

Finally, a transparent indium tin oxide film provided the electrical circuit for the small detector, which could be easily merged with existing wearables. —New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025

Verb

But before they’re canned, jarred, or tinned, anchovies—a term that encompasses more than 140 species of fish—swim the ocean in large schools. —Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025

Combine tinned fish with plain Greek yogurt and drizzle with olive oil and salt to taste for an easy high-protein sandwich spread or veggie dip. —Jess Cording, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tin

• tin can
• tin ear
• tin hat
• tin lizzie
• tin opener
• tin-plate
• tin-pot
• tin whistle

Rhymes for tin

• been
• bin
• chin
• din
• djinn
• fin
• finn
• gin
• grin
• in
• kin
• linn

Kids Definition

tin

1 of 2 noun

ˈtin 

1

: a soft shiny bluish white metallic element that is used in combination with other metals, as a protective coating, and in tinfoil see element

2

a

: a container made of metal (as tinplate)

a pie tin

b

: a sealed can holding food

tin adjective

tin

2 of 2 verb

tinned; tinning

1

: to cover or plate with tin or a mixture of tin with another metal

2

: to put up or pack in tins : can

Medical Definition

tin

noun

ˈtin 

: 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

Legal Definition

TIN

abbreviation

taxpayer identification number