UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations'PIN', 'pin': /ˈpɪn/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/pɪn/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling'PIN', 'pin': (pin)
a small, slender, pointed piece of metal, etc., used as a fastener or support.
any of many different forms of fasteners, badges, or ornaments made up in part of a penetrating piece, wire, or shaft:a fraternity pin;a tiepin;a diamond pin on her dress.
Mechanical Engineeringa short metal rod, as a linchpin, driven through holes in adjacent parts, as a hub and an axle, in order to keep the parts together.
Sportany of the rounded wooden clubs set up as the target in bowling, tenpins, etc.
Informal Termsa human leg:still a little weak on my pins.
Electronics, Electricitya pin-shaped connection, as the terminals on the base of a plug, etc.:That plug has nine pins.
v.[~ + object]
to fasten or attach with or as if with a pin or pins:I pinned the pages together.
to hold (something) still in a spot or position:He was pinned under the wreckage during the earthquake.
pin down:
to force (someone) to deal with a situation, answer a question directly, or come to a decision: [~ + object + down]The reporters tried to pin the president down on his new tax proposals.[~ + down + object]Can you pin down the chief on a date for negotiations?
Idioms
Idiomspin something on someone, [Informal.]to assign the blame or guilt for something to a person:tried to pin the murder on his cousin.
pin(pin),USA pronunciationn., v.,pinned, pin•ning. n.
a small, slender, often pointed piece of wood, metal, etc., used to fasten, support, or attach things.
a short, slender piece of wire with a point at one end and a head at the other, for fastening things together.
any of various forms of fasteners or ornaments consisting essentially or partly of a pointed or penetrating wire or shaft (often used in combination):a jeweled pin.
a badge having a pointed bar or pin attached, by which it is fastened to the clothing:a fraternity pin.
[Mach.]
Mechanical Engineeringa short metal rod, as a linchpin, driven through holes in adjacent parts, as a hub and an axle, to keep the parts together.
Mechanical Engineeringa short cylindrical rod or tube, as a wrist pin or crankpin, joining two parts so as to permit them to move in one plane relative to each other.
Mechanical Engineeringa short axle, as one on which a pulley rotates in a block.
the part of a cylindrical key stem entering a lock.
a clothespin.
a hairpin.
FoodSee rolling pin.
a peg, nail, or stud marking the center of a target.
Sport[Bowling.]any one of the rounded wooden clubs set up as the target in tenpins, ninepins, duckpins, etc.
Sport[Golf.]the flag staff which identifies a hole.
any of the projecting knobs or rails on a pinball machine that serve as targets for the ball.
Informal Termsa human leg.
Music and Dancepeg (def. 5).
Sport[Wrestling.]a fall.
[Naut.]
Naval Termsan axle for a sheave of a block.
Naval TermsSee belaying pin.
Building[Carpentry.]a tenon in a dovetail joint; dovetail.
a very small amount; a trifle:Such insincere advice isn't worth a pin.
Chess, Gamesthe immobilization of an enemy piece by attacking with one's queen, rook, or bishop.
Electronics, Electricitya pin-shaped connection, as the terminals on the base of an electron tube or the connections on an integrated circuit.
Idiomspull the pin, [Informal.]to end a relationship, project, program, or the like, because of lack of continuing interest, success, funds, etc.
v.t.
to fasten or attach with or as with a pin or pins:to pin two pieces of cloth together.
to hold fast in a spot or position (sometimes fol. by down):The debris pinned him down.
to transfix or mount with a pin or the like:to pin a flower as a botanical specimen.
Chess, Gamesto immobilize (an enemy piece) by placing one's queen, rook, or bishop in a position to check the exposed king or capture a valuable piece if the pinned piece were moved.
Sport[Wrestling.]to secure a fall over one's opponent.
Idiomsget pinned:
(of a young woman) to receive a male student's fraternity pin as a symbol of his affection and fidelity, usually symbolizing that the couple is going steady or plans to become engaged.
(of a young couple) to become formally pledged to one another, though not yet engaged, by the bestowing of such a pin or the exchange of pins.
pin down:
to bind or hold to a course of action, a promise, etc.
Idiomsto force (someone) to deal with a situation or to come to a decision:We tried to pin him down for a definite answer, but he was too evasive for us.
Buildingpin in, to fill (gaps in a rubble wall, etc.) with spalls.
pin something on someone, [Informal.]to ascribe the blame or guilt for something to a person; show someone to be culpable:They pinned the crime on him.
Buildingpin up, to make (a piece of masonry) level or plumb with wedges.
Latin pinna feather, quill (see pinna); (verb, verbal) Middle English pinnen, derivative of the noun, nominal
bef. 1100; (noun, nominal) Middle English pinne, Old English pinn peg; cognate with Dutch pin, German Pinne, Old Norse pinni; perh.
1. bolt, peg. 3. brooch.
PIN(pin),USA pronunciationn.[Computers.]
Computinga number assigned to an individual, used to establish identity in order to gain access to a computer system via an automatic teller machine, a point-of-sale terminal, or other device.
a short stiff straight piece of wire pointed at one end and either rounded or having a flattened head at the other: used mainly for fastening pieces of cloth, paper, etc, esp temporarily
a metal tuning peg on a piano, the end of which is inserted into a detachable key by means of which it is turned
a metal rod, esp of stainless steel, for holding together adjacent ends of fractured bones during healing
a position in which a piece is pinned against a more valuable piece or the king
the flagpole marking the hole on a green
vb (pins, pinning, pinned) (transitive)
to attach, hold, or fasten with or as if with a pin or pins
to transfix with a pin, spear, etc
(followed by on) informalto place (the blame for something): he pinned the charge on his accomplice
to cause (an enemy piece) to be effectively immobilized by attacking it with a queen, rook, or bishop so that moving it would reveal a check or expose a more valuable piece to capture
Etymology: Old English pinn; related to Old High German pfinn, Old Norse pinni nail