pin
Plural
pins
1
a small, decorative item designed to be attached to clothing
A pin is a small piece of jewelry that is usually worn on clothing or accessories. It consists of a decorative element, such as a bead, gemstone, or design, attached to a pin or clasp that can be fastened to fabric. Pins come in many different shapes and sizes, ranging from simple and understated to ornate and extravagant. They can be worn as a subtle accent to an outfit or as a statement piece that draws attention to the wearer. Pins can be made from a variety of materials, including precious metals like gold and silver, as well as non-precious metals, plastic, and other materials. They are often used to accessorize formal attire or to add a touch of personality to everyday outfits.
- She wore a beautiful enamel pin shaped like a butterfly on her jacket.
- The lapel pin he received at the ceremony was a symbol of his achievement.
- The students exchanged pins to commemorate the special event.
- She collected vintage pins and displayed them on a felt board.
- He wore a patriotic pin on his suit for the national holiday.
2
a slender, elongated object typically made of metal, that has a sharp point at one end and a flat or rounded head at the other
A pin is a small, slender, pointed object used in sewing and other crafts to hold fabric pieces together temporarily. Pins are typically made of metal, with a sharp point at one end and a flat or rounded head at the other end to make it easy to handle and remove. They can be straight or curved, with some designs featuring a ball or pearl head for decorative purposes. Pins are an essential tool in sewing, allowing fabric pieces to be held together while being sewn without shifting or moving out of place. They are also commonly used in pattern-making and quilting. Pins must be handled with care to avoid injury, and some sewers prefer to use alternative methods such as clips or adhesive tape to hold fabric pieces together to reduce the risk of pricking themselves or damaging their fabric.
- She used a pin to secure the fabric in place while she sewed.
- The map was dotted with colorful pins marking different locations.
- He pricked his finger on a pin that had fallen on the floor.
- The tailor used a pin to hold the hem of the dress for alterations.
- She fastened the brooch to her dress with a small pin.
3
a short, cylindrical shaft or rod that serves as a pivotal axis around which a component rotates or moves
- The door hinge has a pin that allows it to swing open and shut smoothly.
- The watchmaker carefully inserted the pin into the gears to restore the clock's movement.
- The bicycle pedal is attached to the crank by a sturdy pin.
- The pin in the machine's joint needed to be lubricated to prevent squeaking.
- The technician replaced the broken pin to restore the function of the rotating part.
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5
a club-shaped wooden object used in bowling, set up in triangular groups of ten as the target for players to knock down with a ball
- He aimed his shot to knock down all ten pins.
- The last pin was teetering but didn’t fall, costing her the strike.
- They set up the pins again for the next bowler.
- The sound of the pins crashing was satisfying after a perfect throw.
- She knocked down seven pins on her first roll.
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6
a slender, upright marker on a golf green, typically topped with a flag, indicating the location of the hole
- He carefully aimed his putt towards the pin.
- The golfer celebrated after hitting the ball directly at the pin.
- The pin fluttered in the wind, showing the location of the hole.
- She adjusted her approach shot to land closer to the pin.
- The caddie removed the pin as the golfer lined up his final shot.
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7
cylindrical tumblers consisting of two parts that are held in place by springs; when they are aligned with a key the bolt can be thrown
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8
a slang term for the leg, often used to refer to the limb in a casual or colloquial manner
- He injured his pin while playing soccer and had to take a break.
- The athlete's powerful pins helped him win the race.
- She showed off her new tattoo on her pin.
- After the accident, he needed a cast to support his fractured pin.
- His long pins made him a great basketball player.
9
small markers inserted into a surface to mark scores or define locations etc.
Synonyms:
10
a situation that occurs when one wrestler holds both of the opponent's shoulders on the mat simultaneously for a specified period
A pin in wrestling occurs when a wrestler holds both of their opponent’s shoulders firmly on the mat for a specific amount of time, which immediately ends the match. Achieving a pin demonstrates complete control over the opponent and results in a victory, regardless of the score at the time. Pins require skillful technique, strength, and positioning to overpower the opponent and prevent them from escaping. Wrestlers often aim for a pin as it is the most decisive way to win a match.
- Her opponent fought hard to avoid being pinned in the final seconds.
- The referee counted to three, signaling a pin and victory for the wrestler.
- He celebrated his pin with teammates and coaches after the match.
- The wrestler's pin technique improved significantly over the season.
- She earned points for near falls leading up to the pin.
Synonyms:
11
a tactical maneuver where a piece is attacked and unable to move without exposing a more valuable piece behind it to capture
In chess, a pin is a tactic where a piece is forced to stay in its position because moving it would expose a more valuable piece behind it to attack. The piece being pinned cannot move without putting a more important piece, such as the king or queen, in danger. Pins are typically executed with long-range pieces, like rooks, bishops, or queens, which can attack across multiple squares. A pin can be a powerful way to gain material advantage by limiting the opponent's moves and forcing them into a defensive position. There are two types: absolute pin, where moving the pinned piece would expose the king, and relative pin, where the piece could be moved but doing so would still result in a disadvantageous position.
- The player executed a pin, trapping the bishop and protecting his queen.
- Her knight created a pin, making the opponent's rook vulnerable.
- The pin on the enemy's queen forced them to sacrifice a piece to protect it.
- He used his bishop to create a pin on the opposing king, gaining a strategic advantage.
- The pin on the knight rendered it immobile, exposing the king to check.