pinion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “pinion” mean?
The outer segment of a bird's wing, especially the terminal joint bearing the primary feathers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The outer segment of a bird's wing, especially the terminal joint bearing the primary feathers; to tie or bind someone's arms to prevent movement, or to cut off the pinion of a bird to prevent flight.
A small gear that meshes with a larger gear or rack in mechanical systems; to restrain or immobilise someone or something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meanings. The verb 'to pinion' (restrain) is equally rare and formal in both varieties. The mechanical term is standard technical vocabulary.
Connotations
In both, the verb often carries a connotation of forceful, complete immobilisation, sometimes with a hint of archaic or literary flavour.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, encountered mostly in technical, literary, or historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “pinion” in a Sentence
to pinion someone/something (to/against something)to pinion someone's arms/handsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pinion” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The guards pinioned the prisoner's arms behind his back.
- The archaic practice was to pinion the wings of swans.
American English
- She was pinioned against the wall by the crowd.
- The activist felt pinioned by the regulations.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Used in biology (ornithology) and engineering papers.
Everyday
Rare. Might be understood in 'rack and pinion' if discussing car mechanics.
Technical
Precise term in mechanical engineering for a small gear, and in ornithology for a part of the wing.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pinion”
- Pronouncing it like 'opinion' without the 'o'.
- Using 'pinion' as a general word for 'wing'.
- Confusing the verb with 'pinning' something down.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word. You will most likely encounter it in technical writing (engineering, biology) or in literary/historical texts.
A feather is a single structure. A pinion is a section of the bird's wing (specifically the manus or 'hand' bones) that holds the primary flight feathers.
It is a common mechanical assembly where a rotating gear (the pinion) engages a linear bar with teeth (the rack), converting rotational motion into linear motion, widely used in steering systems.
Yes, but it is formal or literary. It means to restrain someone very firmly, especially by holding or tying their arms.
The outer segment of a bird's wing, especially the terminal joint bearing the primary feathers.
Pinion is usually formal, technical in register.
Pinion: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɪnjən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɪnjən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “rack and pinion (steering mechanism)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PIN in a small gear (pinion) that keeps a larger machine (or a bird's wing) from moving freely.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESTRAINT IS PHYSICAL BINDING (He was pinioned by bureaucracy).
Practice
Quiz
In an ornithological context, what does 'pinion' primarily refer to?