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

Clyde, having been replaced under the blood bin rule that allowed a temporary substitute for an injured player, came back on 10 minutes later and tried to continue.

Read more on BBC

"We've had broken glass on the common, and the farmers getting together to clear it - there were four bin bags full of bottles and things like that."

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The unit flies missions for commandos such as the Green Berets, The Navy SEALs and Delta Force and is famous for its involvement in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

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"Good riddance," he wrote in a two-word statement accompanying the Fed's decision to bin the 2023 guidelines -- a marked contrast to the lengthier statements of his colleagues.

Read more on Barron's

“What can I do? We are not the army, we cannot take action like America did with Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, Abbottabad. We are just waiting for results.”

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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.