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

Tice was repeatedly asked about whether the election pledges - pitched by Farage at the time as a "contract" with the British people - had been binned.

From BBC

On Wednesday, Israelis demanding an immediate deal set fire to tyres and rubbish bins and damaged parked cars in Jerusalem.

From BBC

Inside, a treasure trove awaited: Exclusive merch hung on the walls, bins with posters lined the floors, and bucket hats were stacked on shelves.

From Los Angeles Times

Behind a partition in the warehouse, bins full of fabric cram the storage space.

From Los Angeles Times

"It was coming down the side street off the side of the pub like a river. It was bringing bins, bricks and debris down the street."

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.