unpin

verb

un·​pin ˌən-ˈpin How to pronounce unpin (audio)
unpinned; unpinning; unpins

transitive verb

1
: to remove a pin from
2
: to loosen, free, or unfasten by or as if by removing a pin

Examples of unpin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There is a 60% chance that it will be unpinned by the end of the century, the study found, after which the glacier is likely to retreat quickly down the sloping bedrock toward the next major ridge. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026 The endangerment finding has legal significance, unpinning the nation’s climate change regulations. — Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026 Minutes later, however, Berrios unpinned the comment referencing Drake's track, and a fan pointed out in the comment section that Earle's mom, Alisa, liked Berrios' post. — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025 Russell, for her part, can match Sewell’s intensity without uttering a word, as in a scene where Kate silently unpins her hair while Hal spirals out over Grace’s VP offer. — Alison Herman, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unpin

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unpin was in the 14th century

Rhymes for unpin

See All Rhymes for unpin

Browse Nearby Words

unpiloted
unpin
unpinion
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unpin. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

unpin

verb
un·​pin ˌən-ˈpin How to pronounce unpin (audio)
ˈən-
: to remove a pin from : unfasten
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All