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

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

Its PIF has hundreds of billions in assets due to its oil wealth, and it is controlled by the country's prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose government has been accused of human rights violations.

From BBC

"I think the president of the US understands very well the risks and dangers of annexation in the West Bank," Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told reporters.

From BBC

It was musty and slightly astringent, not unlike the communal bin area in his block of flats.

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.