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

What I don't want English cricket to do is think 'all these players have failed, we'll put them in the bin and start again'.

From BBC

"It is on the shelf, not in the bin," said one EU diplomat, speaking like others on condition of anonymity.

From Barron's

Nurse says that households generate around a third more waste during the festive period which can often means bins spill over.

From BBC

But quality with the corner for Casemiro's goal and then that free-kick - you get in team of the week if you spank one of them in the top bin.

From BBC

Cena even broke the news that Osama bin Laden had been killed to many Americans.

From Salon