pinning

• IPA^(key): /ˈpɪnɪŋ/
• Homophone: penning (pin–pen merger)

pinning

1. present participle and gerund of pin

pinning (countable and uncountable, plural pinnings)

1. The action of the verb pin in any sense.
2. A ceremony in which a pin badge is given.
   • 2003, James A. Schnell, Case Studies in Culture and Communication: A Group Perspective:

     There were a variety of informal traditional activities that occurred in recognition of events such as birthdays, pinnings (when a member gave his fraternity pin to his girlfriend to acknowledge preengagement), and engagements.

3. (physics) The establishment of the definite quantum state of a particle, or of the occupation number of a system of particles

• quasipinning
• Zener pinning