social insurance number

IPA/ˌsəʊʃl ɪnˈʃʊərəns nʌmbə(r)/
IPA/ˌsəʊʃl ɪnˈʃʊrəns nʌmbər/

social insurance number — noun

1. a nine-digit personal identifier created by the Canadian government for its citi

1.nounB1
Definition

a nine-digit personal identifier created by the Canadian government for its citizens and permanent residents, used to track employment, taxes, and access to benefits such as pensions

Example

When Anna found a job in Toronto, her employer asked for her social insurance number.

social insurance number + employment context

The government uses your social insurance number to check your tax payments every year.

social insurance number + tax/government context

Common collocations
  • get a social insurance number
  • apply for a social insurance number
  • need a social insurance number
  • provide your social insurance number
  • social insurance number card
  • social insurance number + employment
  • social insurance number + tax return

Usage Note

Often shortened to SIN when spoken or written informally. This system is specific to Canada; other countries have different identification numbers (for example, the United States uses a Social Security number).

Etymology

Latin (socius → socialis)Old French (assurer → insurance → Old French enseurer)Latin (numerus → number)Canadian English (social insurance number, 1964)

The term 'social insurance number' was introduced in Canada in 1964 when the Canada Pension Plan began. 'Social insurance' refers to the government system that provides financial protection to citizens, and 'number' refers to the personal identifier assigned to each individual in the system. The abbreviation SIN is commonly used in everyday Canadian English.