Unpin

Unpin is a verb formed by adding the prefix un- to pin. It denotes removing a previously pinned item from a position of prominence, fixed association, or fixed state. The term is used across digital interfaces, hardware, and collaborative platforms to describe reversing the action of pinning.

In hardware contexts, a pin is a small metal contact on a connector or device. Unpinning means removing or releasing a pin from a header, socket, or component, often to reconfigure hardware or repurpose connections. The action is typically a physical operation.

In software and web interfaces, pinning commonly marks items for easy access or visibility. Unpinning removes that status. Examples include unpinning a browser tab that has been pinned to stay open, or unpinning a message or post that was previously highlighted in a chat or discussion thread. On visual platforms such as Pinterest, unpinning removes a pin from a board or collection.

Many collaboration tools allow pinning items such as issues, pull requests, or documents to keep them at the top of lists. Unpinning reverses this, restoring standard ordering.

In security contexts, pinning can refer to certificate or public-key pinning, which binds a host to a specific key. Unpinning in this sense means removing or relaxing the pinning constraint, often to accommodate changes in certificates or infrastructure.

Originating from the noun pin, unpin is a compound verb in English and is used wherever pinning is a feature of the user experience.