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PIN

PIN

71 3.2
A secret number you enter to access bank accounts or cards
  • noun
  • /pɪn/
translation icon : código PIN
  • What's the PIN number?
  • enter your PIN
  • create a PIN
  • PIN generation

You can use VPNs, You can switch to a PIN instead of biometrics.

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Examples

  • Well, what if your PIN is, like, 4224?

  • You can use VPNs, You can switch to a PIN instead of biometrics.

  • Then I want you to write down those PIN numbers, okay?

  • Why do you all have the same PIN number?

  • Can you put your PIN in there, please?

  • John enters a few commands, and the plasma screen displays the PIN number for that account.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Which tends to spook them sufficiently to give up the PIN numbers to their credit cards.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Your PIN number.

  • WHAT'S MY PIN NUMBER?

  • Please enter your PIN to access your bank account.

Synonyms

passcode
vsPIN
16 3.1

A secret set of numbers or letters used to unlock devices and accounts

is mainly for bank and card access and tends to be numeric
PIN number
vsPIN
5 1.8

A secret number that lets you access bank or phone accounts

is the concise technical term without repeating number
secret code
vsPIN
  • Specialized
1 3.5

A set of numbers or letters used to unlock an account

is narrower and used mainly for banking and usually numeric
personal identification number
vsPIN
  • Specialized
1 3.0

A secret number you use to prove who you are and open accounts

is the common short label usually four or more digits

Idioms

to care a pin
  • Archaic
9.9

To not mind something at all

A phrase people say to make fun of someone who brags

Compounds

11 2.2

A small metal clip that holds hair in place

7 1.5

A long round tool for flattening dough in the kitchen

5 1.8

A secret number that lets you access bank or phone accounts

firing pin
  • Specialized
5 6.8

A small metal part inside a gun that hits the cartridge to start the bullet moving

4 1.0

A small metal thing with a sharp point and a cover that holds clothes together

3 1.4

A heavy wooden thing shaped like a club that players try to knock down in bowling

cotter pin
  • Specialized
2 7.4

A metal pin with split ends that you put through a hole and bend apart to hold parts together

pin money
  • Archaic
1 6.1

A small amount of money kept for personal expenses

pin tumbler
  • Specialized
1 7.3

A set of small metal pins inside a lock that a key lines up to open it

1 2.6

A thin piece of metal with a sharp end that holds cloth or paper

safety pin
  • Neologism
1 2.7

A small metal object worn on clothing to show support for a person or group

1 5.8

A small curl made by twisting damp hair and holding it with a pin

pin oak
  • US
1 5.0

A large oak tree that grows fast with deeply cut leaves and bright red color in autumn

belaying pin
  • Specialized
9.2

A short wooden or metal bar that holds a rope when you wrap it around

bitt pin
  • Specialized
9.9

A pin people place across a post on a ship to stop a rope from slipping off

1.4

A small clip made of wood or plastic that holds clothes on a line while they dry

2.3

A short pin with a flat head that attaches paper to a wall or board

dowel pin
  • Specialized
6.7

A small round metal or wooden rod that you put into holes in two pieces to hold them together

gudgeon pin
  • Specialized
9.9

A metal pin that joins the piston to the connecting rod in an engine so the piston can turn slightly

A small to medium oak tree from east-central North America with leaves that have many sharp points

9.8

A weed with reddish stems and small purple flowers used as food for farm animals

pin bone
  • Specialized
9.4

A small hard part inside a sirloin steak between the flat bone and the porterhouse

8.5

A small tree or bush with bright red sour fruit

9.9

A spreading plant with reddish flowers grown for animal food

6.5

A machine you play by hitting buttons to move a metal ball

pin wrench
  • Specialized
7.9

A wrench with pins that fit into holes to turn round nuts like locknuts

A duck with a long neck and long thin tail feathers

A bird with very long middle tail feathers

A bird with long middle tail feathers that lives in Europe and Africa

pin-up art
  • NSFW
7.5

Pictures of women posed in an attractive, old-fashioned style

pin-up
  • NSFW
7.5

A picture of an attractive person or the person shown

A small decorative pin worn on clothes, often in groups

swivel pin
  • Specialized
7.5

A metal part that turns to let a car's wheel move when you steer

6.8

A small wooden target that players knock down in the game of skittles

wrist pin
  • Specialized
8.5

A metal rod placed through wrist bones to hold them still while they heal

wrist pin
  • Specialized
8.6

A small metal rod that joins a piston to the rod that moves it in an engine

How Secure

PIN
71 3.2
weak point
12 3.0

Surface Forms

PIN singular
PINs plural

Etymology

The word PIN comes from the phrase Personal Identification Number, made from the first letters of those three words. A helpful way to remember it is to think of a small metal pin that 'holds' things closed, because your PIN 'holds' your bank account safe and must stay secret.