English Reference
noun · verb

gin

n. · v.
US /ˈdʒɪn/ UK /dʒˈɪn/ gin UK spelling gin's, gin's

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    n.a clear, strong alcoholic drink that is flavored with juniper berries.

    n.a clear distilled spirit flavored with juniper berries and other botanicals.

    Simple

    He ordered a gin and tonic with a slice of lime.

    In context

    The distillery produces a premium gin using a secret blend of ten different botanicals sourced from around the Mediterranean.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a machine used to separate the seeds from cotton fibers.

    n.a machine, specifically a cotton gin, used to automate the separation of cotton fibers from their seeds.

    Simple

    The invention of the cotton gin changed the textile industry forever.

    In context

    Eli Whitney's patent for the cotton gin in 1794 significantly increased the speed of processing raw cotton for the global market.

    cotton gin
  3. 03 C2 Proficiency Technical

    n.a machine or tripod used for lifting or moving very heavy objects.

    n.a mechanical device or tripod equipped with a windlass and pulleys for hoisting heavy loads.

    Simple

    The miners used a wooden gin to lift the heavy buckets of ore to the surface.

    In context

    The historical site features a restored horse-drawn gin once used to pump water from the deep shafts of the local coal mine.

    hoistcranewindlass
  4. 04 C2 Proficiency Literary

    n.a trap or snare used for catching small wild animals.

    n.a mechanical trap or snare designed to capture game.

    Simple

    The poacher set a wire gin in the woods to catch a rabbit.

    In context

    In the old novel, the protagonist narrowly avoids a hidden gin set by the gamekeeper to deter trespassers.

  5. 05 C1 Advanced Technical

    v.to use a machine to remove the seeds from cotton.

    v.to process raw cotton through a gin to separate the fibers from the seeds.

    Simple

    The farmers had to gin all their cotton before they could sell it.

    In context

    The facility was designed to gin thousands of pounds of raw cotton daily during the peak harvest season.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated