bin

¹

[bin]

noun

1. a box or enclosed place for storing grain, coal, or the like.

verb (used with object)

binned, binning 

1. to store in a bin.

bin-

²

1. a combining form meaning “two,” “two at a time,” used in the formation of compound words.

   binary; binocular.

bin

¹

/ bɪn /

noun

1. a large container or enclosed space for storing something in bulk, such as coal, grain, or wool

2. Also called: bread bin. a small container for bread

3. Also called: dustbin.  rubbish bin. a container for litter, rubbish, etc

4. 1. a storage place for bottled wine

   2. one particular bottling of wine

verb

1. (tr) to store in a bin

2. (tr) to put in a wastepaper bin

bin-

²

prefix

1. a variant, esp before a vowel, of bi- 1

   binocular

Other Word Forms

• unbinned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bin¹

before 950; Middle English binne, Old English binn ( e ) crib, perhaps < Celtic; compare Welsh benn cart

Origin of bin²

Combining form of Latin bīnī two each, by twos

Word History and Origins

Origin of bin¹

Old English binne basket, probably of Celtic origin; related to bindan to _bind

Example Sentences

Clement won a League Cup, took some notable European scalps, drew with Europa League winners Spurs, and only lost in added time to Europa League runners-up, Manchester United, but still got binned.

From BBC

If American edgelords refuse to acknowledge that ladies can be funny, one wonders how Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman feels about Whitney Cummings.

From Salon

The family covered up the broken windows with bin bags to keep the wind and rain out during the height of the storm.

From BBC

A US intelligence report found Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved his murder.

From BBC

Washing hands regularly and using and disposing tissues in bins can reduce the spread of this and other respiratory illnesses.

From BBC

When To Use

What does bin- mean?

Bin- is a combining form used like a prefix, and it means “two” or “two at a time.” While it appears in a variety of scientific terms, it’s also easily recognizable in everyday terms.Bin- comes from the Latin bīnī, meaning “two each” or “by twos.”Bin- is related to the combining form bi- and is used with some words or word elements beginning with vowels. These two forms have similar origins, and for that reason, the difference between the two is a small yet important nuance: bin- tends to mean “double,” while bi- often means “twice.” Want to know more? Read our Words That Use bi- article.