Pin vs. Thumbtack: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 28, 2023
A pin is a thin, sharp piece of metal used for fastening or sewing, while a thumbtack is a short, sharp pin with a broad, flat head, used for attaching papers to a surface.
Key Differences
Pins are slender and often used in sewing, characterized by their sharp point and lack of a head or with a small head. Thumbtacks, however, have a distinct flat head, making them easy to insert and remove with the thumb and fingers.
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Dec 28, 2023
Pins are versatile, used in tailoring, crafting, and securing fabric. Thumbtacks are primarily used for attaching papers or photos to walls, bulletin boards, or other surfaces.
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Pins are usually made of metal like steel or brass and can be very fine, used in delicate fabrics. Thumbtacks are generally made of metal with a plastic or metal head and are sturdier for use in harder surfaces like wood.
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Dec 28, 2023
Pins, especially sewing pins, can be trickier to handle due to their small size and lack of a prominent head. Thumbtacks, with their larger heads, are easier to handle but pose a safety risk if not used carefully.
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Dec 28, 2023
Pins come in various types, such as safety pins, straight pins, and decorative pins. Thumbtacks are more uniform in style but vary in color and head design.
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Dec 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Varieties
Various types like safety pins
Uniform in style, varies in color and design
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Pin and Thumbtack Definitions
Pin
A short, straight, stiff piece of wire with a blunt head and a sharp point, used especially for fastening.
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Thumbtack
A thumbtack is a short, sharp pin with a broad head used to attach papers to a surface.
He used a thumbtack to pin the poster to the bulletin board.
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Dec 28, 2023
Pin
Something, such as a safety pin, that resembles such a piece of wire in shape or use.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thumbtack
Thumbtacks are commonly used in offices and classrooms.
The teacher put up student artwork with colorful thumbtacks.
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Thumbtack
Thumbtacks are designed for easy insertion and removal.
She quickly fixed the calendar to the wall with a thumbtack.
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Dec 28, 2023
Thumbtack
Thumbtacks can also be decorative, with various head designs.
The decorative thumbtacks added a fun touch to her memo board.
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Thumbtack
A tack with a smooth, rounded head that can be pressed into place with the thumb.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thumbtack
(North America) A small nail-like tack with a slightly rounded head that can be pressed into place with light pressure from the thumb; used for hanging light articles on a wall or noticeboard.
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Pin
(Music) One of the pegs securing the strings and regulating their tension on a stringed instrument.
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Thumbtack
Fasten with thumbtacks;
The teacher thumbtacked the notice on the bulletin board
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Oct 19, 2023
Thumbtack
Thumbtacks are suitable for securing items to cork or softwood.
They hung the holiday decorations using thumbtacks.
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Dec 28, 2023
Pin
(Electronics) A lead on a device that plugs into a socket to connect the device to a system.
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Pin
Any of the pegs on the platen of a printer, which engage holes at the edges of paper.
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Pin
Any of the small metal prongs at the end of a connector that fit into the holes in a port.
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Pin
To place in a position of trusting dependence
He pinned his faith on an absurdity.
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Pin
A needle without an eye (usually) made of drawn-out steel wire with one end sharpened and the other flattened or rounded into a head, used for fastening.
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Pin
A cylinder often of wood or metal used to fasten or as a bearing between two parts.
Pull the pin out of the grenade before throwing it at the enemy.
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Pin
The victory condition of holding the opponent's shoulders on the wrestling mat for a prescribed period of time.
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Pin
A slender object specially designed for use in a specific game or sport, such as skittles or bowling.
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Pin
(electricity) Any of the individual connecting elements of a multipole electrical connector.
The UK standard connector for domestic mains electricity has three pins.
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Pin
(US) A simple accessory that can be attached to clothing with a pin or fastener, often round and bearing a design, logo or message, and used for decoration, identification or to show political affiliation, etc.
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Pin
(chess) Either a scenario in which moving a lesser piece to escape from attack would expose a more valuable piece to being taken instead, or one where moving a piece is impossible as it would place the king in check.
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Pin
(golf) The flagstick: the flag-bearing pole which marks the location of a hole
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Pin
(curling) The spot at the exact centre of the house (the target area)
The shot landed right on the pin.
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Pin
(archery) The spot at the exact centre of the target, originally a literal pin that fastened the target in place.
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Pin
One of a row of pegs in the side of an ancient drinking cup to mark how much each person should drink.
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Pin
A peg in musical instruments for increasing or relaxing the tension of the strings.
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Pin
(engineering) A short shaft, sometimes forming a bolt, a part of which serves as a journal.
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Pin
(informal) A pinball machine.
I spent most of my time in the arcade playing pins.
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Pin
(locksmithing) A small cylindrical object which blocks the rotation of a pin-tumbler lock when the incorrect key is inserted.
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Pin
(often followed by a preposition such as "to" or "on") To fasten or attach (something) with a pin.
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Pin
To attach (an icon, application, message etc.) to another item so that it persists.
To pin a folder to the taskbar
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Pin
To fix (an array in memory, a security certificate, etc.) so that it cannot be modified.
When marshaling data, the interop marshaler can copy or pin the data being marshaled.
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Pin
(transitive) To cause an analog gauge to reach the stop pin at the high end of the range.
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Pin
To fasten with, or as with, a pin; to join; as, to pin a garment; to pin boards together.
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Pin
A piece of wood, metal, etc., generally cylindrical, used for fastening separate articles together, or as a support by which one article may be suspended from another; a peg; a bolt.
With pins of adamantAnd chains they made all fast.
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Pin
Especially, a small, pointed and headed piece of brass or other wire (commonly tinned), largely used for fastening clothes, attaching papers, etc.
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Pin
Hence, a thing of small value; a trifle.
He . . . did not care a pin for her.
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Pin
One of a row of pegs in the side of an ancient drinking cup to mark how much each man should drink.
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Pin
An ornament, as a brooch or badge, fastened to the clothing by a pin; as, a Masonic pin.
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Pin
Small markers inserted into a surface to mark scores or define locations etc.
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Pin
Cylindrical tumblers consisting of two parts that are held in place by springs; when they are aligned with a key the bolt can be thrown
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Pin
A small slender (often pointed) piece of wood or metal used to support or fasten or attach things
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Pin
A holder attached to the gunwale of a boat that holds the oar in place and acts as a fulcrum for rowing
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Pin
A club-shaped wooden object used in bowling; set up in groups as a target
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Pin
To hold fast or prevent from moving;
The child was pinned under the fallen tree
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Pin
A pin is a thin, sharp piece of metal used in sewing.
She used a pin to secure the fabric before stitching.
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Dec 28, 2023
Pin
Pins can also refer to fastening devices like safety pins.
He used a safety pin to temporarily fix the tear in his shirt.
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Dec 28, 2023
Pin
In jewelry, a pin is a decorative item worn on clothing.
She adorned her lapel with an elegant brooch pin.
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Pin
Pin can also mean to attach or fasten something securely.
The notice was pinned to the board.
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Pin
In sports, a pin refers to winning a match by holding an opponent down.
The wrestler won the match by a pin.
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Dec 28, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Do pins come in different types?
Yes, there are various types of pins, including straight pins, safety pins, and decorative pins.
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Dec 28, 2023
How is a thumbtack defined?
A thumbtack is a short, sharp pin with a broad, flat head, used for attaching items to surfaces.
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Dec 28, 2023
Are pins used in tailoring?
Yes, pins are commonly used in tailoring and sewing.
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Dec 28, 2023
Are thumbtacks safe for children?
Thumbtacks can be hazardous for young children and should be used with caution.
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Dec 28, 2023
Can pins be made of plastic?
Pins are typically made of metal, but decorative heads can be plastic.
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Dec 28, 2023
Can thumbtacks be used in fabric?
Thumbtacks can be used in fabric, but they are better suited for harder surfaces.
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What is a pin?
A pin is a thin, sharp piece of metal used for fastening, sewing, or as a decorative accessory.
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Dec 28, 2023
Is a safety pin a type of pin?
Yes, a safety pin is a specialized type of pin with a clasp.
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Dec 28, 2023
Can thumbtacks be used on corkboards?
Yes, thumbtacks are ideal for use on corkboards.
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Dec 28, 2023
Do thumbtacks damage walls?
Thumbtacks can leave small holes in walls but are generally less damaging than nails.
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Can pins rust?
Metal pins can rust over time, especially if exposed to moisture.
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Is pinning a common term in wrestling?
Yes, pinning refers to a winning move in wrestling.
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Dec 28, 2023
Are decorative thumbtacks popular?
Decorative thumbtacks are popular for adding a personal touch to bulletin boards.
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Dec 28, 2023
Do thumbtacks come in different colors?
Yes, thumbtacks are available in various colors and designs.
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Dec 28, 2023
Can pins be used for crafts?
Yes, pins are widely used in various crafting activities.
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Dec 28, 2023
Are pins used in jewelry?
Yes, pins are used in decorative jewelry, like brooches.
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Dec 28, 2023
Can thumbtacks hold heavy items?
Thumbtacks are best for light items; heavier items may require stronger fasteners.
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Dec 28, 2023
Do pins have another meaning in technology?
In technology, 'pin' can refer to a personal identification number or connector pins.
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How are thumbtacks typically sold?
Thumbtacks are usually sold in packs of multiple pieces.
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Dec 28, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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