# pinned

/ˈpɪnd/ (US) · /pˈɪnd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pinned
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. fixed with a pin

verb · CEFR B1

attached or held in place using a small, sharp piece of metal.

For teachers: fastened or attached to a surface using a pin or similar sharp fastener.

- She pinned the note to the fridge so her roommate would see it.
- The tailor pinned the hem of the trousers before sewing them to ensure the length was perfectly symmetrical.

### 2. held down

verb · CEFR B2

held someone or something down firmly so they cannot move.

For teachers: restrained or immobilized someone by pressing them against a surface.

- The wrestler pinned his opponent to the mat for three seconds to win.
- The hikers were pinned beneath the fallen timber for several hours until the rescue team arrived with heavy lifting equipment.

### 3. assigned blame or hope

verb · CEFR B2

to place your hopes or the blame for a mistake on a specific person.

For teachers: to attribute something, such as blame or expectations, specifically to a person or entity.

- They pinned the blame for the accident on the new driver.
- The entire community pinned their hopes on the success of the new medical centre, believing it would revitalise the local economy.

Usage: Often used in the phrases 'pinned the blame on' or 'pinned their hopes on'.

### 4. having pins

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

having a specific type or number of pins attached to it.

For teachers: characterised by the presence of pins; frequently used in technical or compound descriptions.

- The machine uses a ten-pinned connector to join the two cables.
- The engineer specified a multi-pinned interface to ensure the high-speed data transfer remained stable under industrial conditions.

## Examples

- She pinned the note to the fridge.
- The wrestler pinned his opponent to the mat for three seconds to win the match.
- The moderator pinned the most important announcement to the top of the forum to ensure every new visitor would see the updated safety guidelines immediately.

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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.