bin

¹ American  

[bin] / bɪn /

noun

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

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verb (used with object)

binned, binning

1. to store in a bin.

bin- ² American  

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

   binary; binocular.

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bin ¹ British  

/ 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

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verb

1. (tr) to store in a bin

2. (tr) to put in a wastepaper bin

bin- ² British  

prefix

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

   binocular

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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

• unbinned adjective

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

Example Sentences

Led by Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al-Thani, QIA is pushing for more aggressive investments in U.S. technology, renewable energy and Asian markets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

A former employee of the company, Niall Doherty, said the cigarette filters and tips were "waste off the machines and probably would have been put in the bin".

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Muhammad Rahim arrived at Guantanamo in March 2008 and was accused by the CIA of being a close associate of the al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

Qatar's prime minister, Mohammed bin Abdurrahman Al-Thani, warned the attack would have "significant repercussions for global energy supplies" and called it a "very dangerous escalation".

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

She grumbled, took off her shoes, and placed them in a bin.

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi