bin
BIHN
Bin (noun) means a container used to hold or throw away items. Example: “There is a litter bin next to every bench in the park.”
noun
1
A container used to hold or throw away items.
"There is a litter bin next to every bench in the park."
"Someone has left a full bin outside the front gate again."
"Put the empty bottles in the recycling bin."
verb
1
To throw something away.
"I binned the stale bread and made fresh sandwiches instead."
"If a letter looks like junk mail, she usually bins it without opening it."
"He binned the old newspapers before the guests arrived."
2
To sort data or items into discrete groups or categories.
"The researcher binned the measurements into ranges of ten centimetres each."
"The software bins customers by how often they shop, then plots each group."
"The survey results were binned by age range."
How to use bin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA container for trash or storage, or the act of throwing something out or sorting it into groups.
UK vs US
In British English, "bin" is the everyday word for what Americans call a "trash can" or "garbage can."
Common pairings
recycling bin
bin it
storage bin
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- bins
- Past tense
- binned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There is a litter _____ next to every bench in the park.
Etymology
From Middle English bynne, from Old English binn ("crib, manger"), possibly borrowed from a Celtic word for a cart or basket.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “bin” mean?
The word “bin” means a container used to hold or throw away items. In plain terms, a container for trash or storage, or the act of throwing something out or sorting it into groups.
How do you pronounce “bin”?
“Bin” is pronounced BIHN (/ˈbɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “bin” in a sentence?
Here is “bin” used in a sentence: “Put the empty bottles in the recycling bin.”
What part of speech is “bin”?
Depending on how it is used, “bin” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bin” come from?
The word “bin” comes from Old English. From Middle English bynne, from Old English binn ("crib, manger"), possibly borrowed from a Celtic word for a cart or basket.
Is “bin” a common word?
“Bin” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “bin” have?
“Bin” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a container used to hold or throw away items.
What is the difference between a "bin" and a "trash can"?
They refer to the same thing: "bin" (or "dustbin," "rubbish bin") is the usual British term, while "trash can" or "garbage can" is more common in American English. Both name a container for holding or discarding items.
Can "bin" be used as a verb?
Yes. In British English, to "bin" something means to throw it away, as in "I binned the old receipts." This use is informal and mainly appears in conversation.
Is "bin" British or American English?
"Bin" for a waste container is chiefly British English, though it is widely understood elsewhere. Americans more often say "trash can," "garbage can," or "wastebasket."
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