noun
Uncommon
bins
bihnz
Bins (noun) means (informal, plural) Binoculars. Example: “Grab the bins so we can see the ship coming in.”
noun
1
(informal, plural) Binoculars.
"However, it's not easy to categorise a birder by their bins - all you can tell is whether they're rich."
— Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie's Little Black Bird Book (1980)
"Grab the bins so we can see the ship coming in."
2
(informal, plural) Eyeglasses.
"He can barely see without his bins."
How to use bins
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSlang shortening of "binoculars," or, separately, slang for glasses.
When to use it
Informal slang; distinct from the everyday sense of "bins" meaning rubbish/trash containers, which is unrelated.
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Etymology
A shortening of "binoculars."
Rhymes for bins
See all rhymes for bins →Frequently asked questions
What does “bins” mean?
The word “bins” means (informal, plural) Binoculars. In plain terms, slang shortening of "binoculars," or, separately, slang for glasses.
How do you pronounce “bins”?
“Bins” is pronounced bihnz (/bɪnz/ in IPA).
How do you use “bins” in a sentence?
Here is “bins” used in a sentence: “Grab the bins so we can see the ship coming in.”
What part of speech is “bins”?
“Bins” is a noun.
Is “bins” a common word?
“Bins” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “bins” have?
“Bins” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: (informal, plural) Binoculars.
