tin

1 of 3

noun

ˈtin 

1

: a soft faintly bluish-white lustrous low-melting crystalline metallic element with atomic number 50 that is malleable and ductile at ordinary temperatures and that is used especially in containers, as a protective coating, in tinfoil, and in soft solders and alloys

—often used before another noun

tin cans

a tin roof

see Chemical Elements Table

2

plural tins

a

: a box, can, pan, vessel, or a sheet made of tinplate

broadly : such a container of any metal (such as aluminum)

b

: a metal container and its contents

a tin of tomatoes

tin adjective

tinful

ˈtin-ˌfu̇l 

noun

tin

2 of 3

verb

tinned; tinning

transitive verb

1

: to cover or plate with tin or a tin alloy

2

: to put up or pack in tins : can

tinned peaches

TIN

3 of 3

abbreviation

taxpayer identification number

Synonyms

Noun

• barrel
• can
• canister
• cannister
• drum

Examples of tin in a Sentence

Noun

row upon row of tins containing food for an emergency that never happened

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Attention to detail being everything, the cans come packed in a cool reusable tin, alongside a small colorful box of matches. —Sofia Perez, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024

Attend the Driskill Hotel Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 and buy Cookies for Caring tins and ornaments to support Season for Caring. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 28 Nov. 2024

Verb

Boutiques on the perimeter specialize in local saffron, honey, and tinned caviar from Azerbaijani sturgeon. —Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Nov. 2024

They are beautifully boxed, tinned, or elegantly wrapped in paper and given to friends, neighbors, relatives, and colleagues. —Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German zin tin

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tin

• tin can
• tin ear
• tin hat
• tin lizzie
• tin opener
• tin-plate
• tin-pot
• tin whistle

Kids Definition

tin

1 of 2 noun

ˈtin 

1

: a soft shiny bluish white metallic element that is used in combination with other metals, as a protective coating, and in tinfoil see element

2

a

: a container made of metal (as tinplate)

a pie tin

b

: a sealed can holding food

tin adjective

tin

2 of 2 verb

tinned; tinning

1

: to cover or plate with tin or a mixture of tin with another metal

2

: to put up or pack in tins : can

Medical Definition

tin

noun

ˈtin 

: a soft faintly bluish white lustrous low-melting crystalline metallic element that is malleable and ductile at ordinary temperatures and that is used as a protective coating, in tinfoil, and in soft solders and alloys

—symbol Sn see Chemical Elements Table

Legal Definition

TIN

abbreviation

taxpayer identification number