# pin

/ˈpɪn/ (US) · /pˈɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pin
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. fastener

noun · CEFR A2

a short, thin piece of stiff wire with a sharp point at one end, used to fasten things together.

For teachers: a small, pointed fastener, typically of steel, used for joining fabric or paper.

- She used a pin to hold the two pieces of cloth together while she was sewing.
- The tailor carefully inserted a pin into the hem to mark the exact length before beginning the final alterations.

### 3. jewellery

noun · CEFR B1

a decorative piece of jewellery that you attach to your clothes with a sharp point.

For teachers: an ornamental item of jewellery fastened to a garment by a hinged pin and catch.

- He wore a small silver pin on his jacket to show his support for the charity.
- The antique pin featured a delicate floral design made of gold and small rubies, passed down through several generations.

### 4. bowling/skittles

noun · CEFR B1

one of the wooden objects that you try to knock down in a game of bowling.

For teachers: one of the upright wooden or plastic targets used in games such as ten-pin bowling or skittles.

- He was disappointed when only one pin remained standing after his second throw.
- The professional bowler managed to strike all ten pins with a powerful, curved delivery that hit the pocket perfectly.

### 5. legs

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

a person's legs.

For teachers: a person's legs, typically used in a lighthearted or informal context.

- I've been standing all day and my pins are starting to ache.
- After the long hike, he complained that his old pins weren't as sturdy as they used to be in his youth.

### 6. to fasten

verb · CEFR B1

to attach something to something else using a pin.

For teachers: to fasten or join objects using a pin or similar pointed device.

- She pinned the note to the fridge so her roommate would see it.
- The researcher pinned the butterfly specimen to the display board with surgical precision, ensuring the wings were perfectly symmetrical.

### 7. to hold down

verb · CEFR B2

to hold someone or something down so they cannot move.

For teachers: to press or hold someone or something firmly against a surface to prevent movement.

- The fallen tree pinned the car to the ground, trapping the driver inside.
- The wrestler managed to pin his opponent's shoulders to the mat for the required three seconds to win the match.

### 8. digital pinning

verb · CEFR B1

to fix a message or app at the top of a screen so it stays there.

For teachers: to attach a digital item, such as a message, icon, or application, to a specific location in a user interface for easy access.

- You should pin the most important chat to the top of your messaging app.
- The administrator decided to pin the updated safety guidelines to the company's main dashboard to ensure maximum visibility for all employees.

## Examples

- Please enter your PIN to complete the payment.
- The bank advises customers to memorize their PIN and avoid writing it down on the back of their cards.
- Security protocols require that the PIN be encrypted at the point of entry to prevent unauthorized access during the transmission of transaction data.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.