First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1pin
noun \ˈpin\
: a thin, pointed piece of stiff wire with a rounded head at one end that is used especially for fastening pieces of cloth
: a thin, pointed piece of stiff wire with a decoration at one end
: a small usually circular object that has writing and often a picture on it and that has a pin on the back so that it can be fastened to clothing, bags, etc.
Full Definition of PIN
1
a : a piece of solid material (as wood or metal) used especially for fastening things together or as a support by which one thing may be suspended from another b obsolete : the center peg of a target; also : the center itself c : something that resembles a pin especially in slender elongated form <an electrical connector pin> d (1) : one of the pieces constituting the target in various games (as bowling) (2) : the peg at which a quoit is pitched (3) : the staff of the flag marking a hole on a golf course e : a peg for regulating the tension of the strings of a musical instrument f : the part of a key stem that enters a lock g : a belaying pin
2
a (1) : a very thin small pointed metal pin with a head used especially for fastening cloth (2) : little, trifle <bother them all! I don't care a pin about them — Bram Stoker> b : an ornament or emblem fastened to clothing with a pin c (1) : bobby pin (2) : hairpin (3) : safety pin
3
: leg —usually used in plural <wobbly on his pins>
4
: a fall in wrestling
See pin defined for English-language learners
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Origin of PIN
Middle English, from Old English pinn (akin to Old High German pfinn peg), perhaps from Latin pinna quill, feather — more at pen
Related to PIN
- Synonyms
- leg
2pin
verb
: to fasten or attach (something) with a pin
: to prevent or stop (someone or something) from moving by holding or pressing firmly against something
pinnedpin·ning
Full Definition of PIN
transitive verb
1
a : to fasten, join, or secure with a pin b : to hold fast or immobile c : to present (a young woman) with a fraternity pin as a pledge of affection
2
a : fasten <pinned his hopes on a miracle> <pin the blame on someone else> b : to assign the blame or responsibility for <pin the robbery on a night watchman> c : to define or determine clearly or precisely —usually used with down <it is hard to pin down exactly when things changed — Katharine Whittemore>
3
a : to make (a chess opponent's piece) unable to move without exposing the king to check or a valuable piece to capture b of a wrestler : to secure a fall over (an opponent)
See pin defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PIN
14th century
3pin
adjective
Definition of PIN
1
: of or relating to a pin
2
of leather : having a grain suggesting the heads of pins
First Known Use of PIN
circa 1523
PIN
abbreviation
PINNED Defined for Kids
1pin
noun \ˈpin\
Definition of PIN for Kids
1
: a small pointed piece of wire with a rounded head used especially for fastening pieces of cloth
2
: something (as an ornament or badge) fastened to the clothing by a pin
3
: a slender pointed piece (as of wood or metal) usually having the shape of a cylinder used to fasten articles together or in place
4
: one of ten pieces set up as the target in bowling
2pin
verb
pinnedpin·ning
Definition of PIN for Kids
1
: to fasten or join with a pin <She pinned a sign on the wall.>
2
: to prevent or be prevented from moving <The guards pinned his arms to his sides.>
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