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Definition of "pinion" [pin•ion]

  • The wing of a bird. (noun)
  • The outer rear edge of the wing of a bird, containing the primary feathers. (noun)
  • A primary feather of a bird. (noun)
  • To remove or bind the wing feathers of (a bird) to prevent flight. (verb-transitive)
  • To cut or bind (the wings of a bird). (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "pinion" in a sentence
  • "Some manufacturers use the word "gear" for "pinion," so that, in ordering, they call them _gear_ and _pinion_, in speaking of the large and small wheels."
  • "Translation: the Democratic and Republican foreign policy establishments draw their ideas from the same well, and public opinion for them public pinion is just an insignificant nuisance."
  • "June 12th, 2007 at 8: 51 pm the Democratic and Republican foreign policy establishments draw their ideas from the same well, and public opinion for them public pinion is just an insignificant nuisance."