# tin

/ˈtɪn/ (US) · /tˈɪn/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. the metal element

noun · CEFR B2

a soft, silver-colored metal that does not rust easily.

For teachers: a malleable, ductile, metallic element (atomic number 50) used primarily to coat other metals to prevent corrosion.

- The roof was made of corrugated tin that rattled when it rained.
- The alloy consists primarily of copper, with a small percentage of tin added to increase the hardness of the final product.

### 2. food container

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

a metal container used for keeping food fresh for a long time.

For teachers: an airtight metal container, typically made of tin-plated steel, used for the preservation of food or liquids.

- He opened a tin of soup for a quick lunch.
- The pantry was stocked with various tins of preserved vegetables and fruit in case of an emergency.

### 3. baking pan

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

a metal pan used for baking cakes or bread.

For teachers: a metal container or tray used in the preparation and baking of food.

- Grease the cake tin thoroughly before pouring in the batter.
- She placed the loaf tin in the center of the oven to ensure the bread baked evenly on all sides.

### 4. made of tin

adjective · CEFR B1

made from the metal tin or a similar cheap metal.

For teachers: composed of or plated with tin; often used to describe items made of thin, inexpensive sheet metal.

- The child played with a small tin soldier on the rug.
- The old shed was covered in tin sheets that had begun to rust at the edges after years of exposure.

### 5. to coat with metal

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to cover a surface with a thin layer of tin or solder.

For teachers: to coat or plate a surface with tin or a tin alloy, often as a preparation for soldering.

- You should tin the tip of the soldering iron before you start working.
- The technician carefully tinned the copper wires to ensure a reliable electrical connection during the assembly process.

## Examples

- I bought a tin of soup for lunch.
- The pantry was stocked with several tins of beans and tomatoes in case of an emergency.
- During the long winter months, the isolated villagers relied heavily on preserved goods stored in large tins to supplement their limited fresh produce.

---

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.