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bin

n. · v.
US //ˈbɪn// UK //bˈɪn// bin
  1. 1 waste container (n.)
    A2 Elementary British English

    a container where you put rubbish or things you do not want.

    a receptacle for waste or rubbish. Often used with a modifier to specify the type of waste.

    Example

    Please put your empty bottle in the recycling bin.

    Example

    The council has introduced separate bins for organic waste to encourage more sustainable disposal habits among residents.

    Usage

    Commonly used in British English; American English speakers typically prefer 'trash can' or 'garbage can'.
    • trash can
    • dustbin
    • garbage can
  2. 2 storage container (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a large box or container used for keeping things like bread, toys, or coal.

    a large container or enclosed space used for the storage of bulk goods or specific items.

    Example

    We keep the dog's dry food in a large plastic bin in the garage.

    Example

    The warehouse manager organised the inventory into labelled bins to streamline the order-picking process.
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  1. 3 data group (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Math

    one of the groups or categories used to organise data in a chart.

    one of a series of discrete intervals into which a range of continuous data is divided, typically for a histogram.

    Example

    The chart shows the number of people in each age bin.

    Example

    Adjusting the width of the bins in the histogram can significantly alter the visual interpretation of the data distribution.
  2. 4 to throw away (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English Informal

    to throw something away because you do not need it anymore.

    to dispose of something by putting it in a bin; figuratively, to reject or abandon a plan or idea.

    Example

    This old printer is broken, so I think I'll just bin it.

    Example

    The marketing team decided to bin the original campaign strategy after the initial focus group results proved overwhelmingly negative.

    Teacher's tip

    This is very common in British English but may sound strange or overly informal to American speakers.
Etymology 1

From Middle English bynne, from Old English binn (“crib, manger”), from Late Latin benna or a Celtic language, possibly Proto-Brythonic benn (“cart, carriage”) (whence Middle Welsh benn, Old Breton benn (“caisson”), modern Welsh ben), from Proto-Celtic bend(n)ā (whence Gaulish benna). Compare German Benne (“wheelbarrow”) and Middle Dutch benne (“basket”), whence modern Dutch ben and as a borrowing, West Frisian bin (both "wicker basket").

Etymology 2

From Arabic بِن (bin, “son”).

Etymology 3

Contraction of being.

Etymology 4

Pronunciation spelling of been.

Etymology 5

Clipping of binary.

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