bin
noun
a box or enclosed place for storing grain, coal, or the like.
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b-n-.
bin
1 American
[bin]
/ bɪn /
noun
-
bins
plural
verb (used with object)
-
bins,
present (3rd person singular)
-
binned,
past participle, past
-
binning
present participle
bin-
2
American
bin
1
British
/ bɪn /
noun
-
a large container or enclosed space for storing something in bulk, such as coal, grain, or wool
-
Also called: bread bin. a small container for bread
-
Also called: dustbin, rubbish bin. a container for litter, rubbish, etc
-
-
a storage place for bottled wine
-
one particular bottling of wine
-
verb
-
(tr) to store in a bin
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(tr) to put in a wastepaper bin
bin-
2
British
prefix
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
binsimple
-
binssimple
-
have binnedperfect
-
has binnedperfect
-
am binningprogressive
-
are binningprogressive
-
is binningprogressive
-
have been binningperfect progressive
-
has been binningperfect progressive
Past
-
binnedsimple
-
had binnedperfect
-
was binningprogressive
-
were binningprogressive
-
had been binningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of bin1
before 950; Middle English binne, Old English binn ( e ) crib, perhaps < Celtic; compare Welsh benn cart
Origin of bin-2
Combining form of Latin bīnī two each, by twos
Explanation
A bin is a box or other lidded container. You might store onions and potatoes in a vegetable bin in your kitchen. The noun bin is especially good for describing a specific kind of container, like a toy bin at a preschool or a compost bin on the counter. Bin is more commonly used in Britain than in the United States — a Londoner might say, "Oh, just throw that in the bin," while a New Yorker is more likely to say, "Throw it in the trash," or "Toss it in the garbage." The root word is the Old English binne, "basket."
Vocabulary lists containing bin
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"The president of the republic is travelling to Saudi Arabia this afternoon to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman," a statement from the presidency said earlier.
From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026
"The situation in the Gulf remains a matter of deep concern," Jaishankar told UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in public comments broadcast before their meeting started.
From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country’s de facto leader, has called on the U.S. and other allies to come to his country’s defense.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
DUBAI—Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman started the year on a high note.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
Dr. Martin reaches inside the crate, pulls a plastic bin from the inside, and the air stops being overrun with Lark’s words and fills with the little cries of the eaglet.
From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers
In the western city of Rennes, around 20 people set up a barricade using trash bins and large pallets on the outskirts of a shopping mall.
From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026
She said there was a responsibility on businesses to ensure that was possible, "providing the right bins and facilities for people to make that easier".
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
The bins embody an idea that has gone too far: that more recycling is always better.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Plastic storage bins were visible in the driveway.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
Mom is inside, surrounded by boxes and big plastic bins.
From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio
A mum's fight for a £12m fortune tops the Sun's front page, after a shopkeeper reportedly binned her winning lottery ticket.
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026
There was still 30 seconds left to play when the invasion happened, but that time was binned in the chaos.
From BBC ● May 16, 2026
However, Quins had fly-half Smith binned in the second half and La Rochelle took advantage to draw level through unconverted tries by former England wing Jack Nowell and scrum-half Thomas Berjon.
From Barron's ● Jan. 18, 2026
Official figures show Wales' recycling rate is second only to Austria and the charity believes, if more waste is binned correctly, it could be the global leader.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2025
He swept a hand across the campfires that binned from horizon to horizon.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
A mother says penalties for binning batteries should be clearer after being handed a "soul-destroying" £11,500 fine.
From BBC ● Mar. 8, 2026
"Together, we pioneered the trio binning method for genome assembly. This approach was also published in Nature Communications."
From Science Daily ● Jan. 12, 2026
This new information about olfactory genes in cats was made possible through a new approach to genome sequencing called trio binning, which allows researchers to sequence the most difficult regions of a genome.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 2, 2023
In contrast to Mr Song, Ms Han only moved in 15 days ago, and is now binning belongings that never made it out of the box.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2023
Soon I am awakened; they want me to accommodate them by binning once more before they retire for the night.
From Around the World on a Bicycle - Volume 1 From San Francisco to Teheran by Thomas Stevens
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