ENGLISH
REFERENCE

jin

n.
US //ˈdʒɪn// jin
  1. 1 historical Chinese dynasties (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the name of several different empires and ruling families throughout Chinese history.

    the name of multiple historical Chinese polities, most notably the Sima-led empire (265–420 AD) and the Jurchen-led empire (1115–1234 AD).

    Example

    The Jin dynasty was a period of great artistic and cultural change in China.

    Example

    Historians distinguish between the Western and Eastern Jin based on the location of the imperial capital and the extent of their territorial control.
    • jin dynasty
  2. 2 bonsai deadwood (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    a piece of dead wood on a bonsai tree that is shaped to make the tree look very old.

    a section of dead wood on a branch or the top of a bonsai trunk, created naturally or artificially to signify age and resilience.

    Example

    The artist used a special tool to carve a jin on the pine branch.

    Example

    A well-executed jin provides a stark visual contrast against the living foliage, suggesting a tree that has survived harsh mountain winds.
    • deadwood
    • shari
  3. 3 supernatural being (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Religion

    an alternative way to spell 'jinn', which is a spirit or ghost in some cultures.

    an alternative orthographic representation of 'jinn', referring to supernatural creatures in Islamic mythology.

    Example

    Old stories tell of a jin that lived inside the ancient lamp.

    Example

    The manuscript describes the summoning of a jin, though modern translations almost exclusively use the spelling 'jinn' or 'djinn'.
Related words

Last updated June 20, 2026