bin

¹ American  

[bin] / bɪn /

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 American  

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

   binary; binocular.

---

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

---

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

---

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

More than half of all Emiratis trace their ancestral roots to southern Iran, said Mira Al Hussein, an associate fellow at the University of Edinburgh’s Alwaleed bin Talal Centre.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Recommending taking your food recycling bin out every week, he said lining a food caddy meant food waste was less likely to get congealed and sticky.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

The Central Intelligence Agency worked closely with Pakistan’s army and intelligence services in its hunt for the al Qaeda militants responsible for Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, including the group’s leader, bin Laden.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

In 2024, diapers were included in the recycling drive, with residents required to write their names on designated bin bags.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

I crumple yet another scrap and toss it in the burn bin.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin