pin

A small thin piece of metal with a sharp point, used to hold things together.

• I need a pin.
• She held the fabric together with pins.
• A sharp pin pricked my finger.

Similar words: nail, tack

Common phrases: safety pin, sewing pin, a sharp pin

A short solid rod, usually metal or wood, that holds parts together or lets them move.

• The metal pin is bent.
• Remove the pin before taking the hinge apart.
• A wooden pin holds the two pieces together.

Similar words: peg, dowel

Common phrases: locking pin, hinge pin, metal pin

An upright object that players try to knock down with a ball in games such as bowling.

• One pin is still standing.
• The ball knocked down six pins.
• Can you hit the last pin?

Similar words: skittle

Common phrases: bowling pin, a standing pin

To keep a message, app, or other digital item in a fixed place where it is easy to find.

• Pin the message for everyone.
• I pinned the folder to the start menu.
• Can we pin this post at the top?

How to use it: pin something to something (You can pin the app to the taskbar.)

Opposites: unpin

Common phrases: pin a message, pin an app, pin a post

To attach something using a small sharp metal fastener.

• Pin the two pieces together.
• He pinned a badge on his jacket.
• Can you pin this poster to the wall?

How to use it: pin something to/on something (She pinned the notice to the board.)

Similar words: fasten, attach

Opposites: unpin

Common phrases: pin something up, pin something together, pin on a badge

To hold someone firmly against a surface so they cannot move.

• He pinned me to the floor.
• The wrestler pinned her opponent in seconds.
• She was pinned against the wall and could not move.

How to use it: pin someone to/against something (The wrestler pinned his opponent to the mat.); pin someone down (Two men pinned him down while help arrived.)

Similar words: hold down, immobilize

Opposites: release, free

Common phrases: pin someone down, pin an opponent, pin someone against something

To keep computer data in a fixed location or prevent a chosen software value from changing.

• Pin the array before accessing its address.
• The application pins the server certificate.
• We pinned the package version to prevent unexpected updates.

How to use it: pin something to something (We pinned the dependency to a specific version.)

Similar words: fix, lock

Opposites: unpin

Common phrases: pin an array, pin a certificate, pin a version