/ tɪn; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U ] ( symb Sn ) a chemical element. Tin is a soft silver-white metal that is often mixed with other metals or used to cover them to prevent them from rusting :
a tin mine
a tin box
2.
[ C ] (also ˌtin ˈcan ) (both BrE ) (also can NAmE , BrE ) tin (of sth) a metal container in which food and drink is sold; the contents of one of these containers :
a tin of beans
Next, add two tins of tomatoes.
3.
[ C ] ( BrE ) (also can NAmE , BrE ) tin (of sth) a metal container with a lid, in the shape of a cylinder , in which paint, glue, etc. is sold and stored; the contents of one of these containers :
a tin of varnish
The bedroom needed three tins of paint (= in order to paint it) .
4.
[ C ] a metal container with a lid used for keeping food in :
a biscuit / cake / cookie tin
5.
[ C ] ( BrE ) ( NAmE pan ) a metal container used for cooking food in :
a cake tin
•
IDIOMS
- (it) does (exactly) what it says on the tin
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch tin and German Zinn .