A prefix meaning new or neo-, used to indicate that something is new or recent (e.g., shin- in compounds).
新製品が来月発売されるので、店では新コーナーが設けられた。
A new product will be released next month, so the store set up a new section.
大学には新入生歓迎会があり、新入生を『新入』と呼ぶ。
The university holds a welcome party for new students; new students are called 'shin-nyū'.
新幹線は『新』が接頭辞として使われている例の一つだ。
The Shinkansen is one example where '新' is used as a prefix.
As a noun: newness or novelty. (A literary or somewhat old-fashioned usage.)
作家は常に変化と新を求めているという評がある。
Critics say that writers are always seeking change and novelty.
その流行は古い様式に新を加えたものである。
That trend adds novelty to an old style.
As an abbreviation: 'shin' can refer to the Gregorian calendar (new style), especially contrasted with the old lunar calendar.
古い記録には日付の横に『新』と書かれていることがあり、これは新暦の意味だ。
In old records the letter '新' is sometimes written next to dates, meaning the Gregorian calendar.
As a historical term: the Xin dynasty of China (founded by Wang Mang, AD 9–23).
王莽が建てた新は短期間で滅びたが、中国史において特異な例として扱われる。
The Xin dynasty founded by Wang Mang fell quickly but is treated as a peculiar case in Chinese history.