Meaning & use
pinning
Last updated
“pinning” is a form of “pin”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Fixing something in place using a pin or pins.
Grammar: Takes an object, often with a place: pinning a note to the door.
Patterns
- pin something to something
- pin something on something
She was pinning a badge to her jacket.
He is pinning the map to the wall.
The tailor spent an hour pinning the hem.
verbtransitive
Holding someone or something down so it cannot move.
Grammar: Takes an object: pinning the opponent.
Patterns
- pin someone to something
- pin someone down
The wrestler was pinning his opponent to the mat.
A fallen tree was pinning the car against the fence.
The goalkeeper was pinning the ball under his arm.
verbtransitivecomputinginformal
Saving or fixing a post or message at the top of a list or board online.
Grammar: Takes an object: pinning a post.
Patterns
- pin something to something
She is pinning the recipe to her cooking board.
The moderator is pinning the announcement at the top of the page.
verbtransitiveinformal
Saying that someone or something is responsible for a mistake or problem, often unfairly.
Grammar: Takes an object, followed by on: pinning the blame on someone.
Patterns
- pin something on someone
Stop pinning the blame on me.
They are pinning the failure on bad weather.
Common combinations
- pinning a notice
- He is pinning a notice on the board.
- pinning down
- We are pinning down a date for the party.
- pinning the blame on
- Pinning the blame on one person is unfair.
- pinning a post
- She is pinning a post at the top of the group.
- pinning hopes on
- They are pinning their hopes on a late goal.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fastening
- Fastening is a general word for attaching, while pinning specifically uses a pin.
- restraining
- Restraining means holding back by force and may not involve pressing someone down.
- attaching
- Attaching is neutral and broad, whereas pinning suggests a small point or pressure holds the item.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: pinning or penning?
pinning vs penning
Penning means writing, as in penning a letter. It is unrelated to pinning, although they sound close.
Practice
She is ___ the schedule to the notice board.
Choose one answer.
Pinning means fixing with a pin. Penning means writing, paining means hurting, and pining means longing for something.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “pinning”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.