overhead bin

Meaning

This is the enclosed storage compartment located above passenger seats on an airplane. It is used to store carry-on bags, coats, and other personal items during a flight. It is the standard term used by flight crews in safety briefings, especially in North American English.

Examples

• Could you help me lift my suitcase into the overhead bin?

  Could you help me lift my suitcase into the overhead bin?

• The flight attendant asked us to close the overhead bins before takeoff.

  The flight attendant asked us to close the overhead bins before takeoff.

• There was no space left in the overhead bin, so I had to check my bag.

  There was no space left in the overhead bin, so I had to check my bag.

• Please place your smaller items under the seat and larger bags in the overhead bin.

  Please place your smaller items under the seat and larger bags in the overhead bin.

• Be careful when opening the overhead bin, as items may have shifted during the flight.

  Be careful when opening the overhead bin, as items may have shifted during the flight.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I put my suitcase in the up closet.

  ✓ I put my suitcase in the overhead bin.

  'Up closet' is a literal translation from other languages. The correct aviation term is 'overhead bin' or 'overhead locker'.

• ✗ The overhead box is completely full.

  ✓ The overhead bin is completely full.

  'Box' is too generic; the specific term for these built-in airplane compartments is 'bin' (US) or 'locker' (UK).

Related Expressions

Practice

• Please ensure all heavy items are stored securely in the ___.

  💡 The storage space above your seat on a plane.

  Show answer

  overhead bin

• He reached up to open the ___ and retrieve his jacket.

  💡 The compartment above airplane seats.

  Show answer

  overhead bin