1. the outer parts of a bird’s wing, including the flight feathers
2. small gear wheels that engage with larger gears in machinery
Usage: mechanical

1. to restrain someone by binding their arms or wings

Examples

• The eagle spread its pinions and soared above the mountains.
• The damaged pinions prevented the bird from flying properly.
• The mechanic replaced the worn pinions in the transmission.
• Small pinions mesh with the main gear to control speed.
• The guards pinioned the prisoner’s arms behind his back.
• She felt pinioned by the heavy blankets wrapped around her.
• The falcon’s pinions caught the sunlight as it dove.