plug

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a piece used to fill a hole : stopper
b
: an obtruding or obstructing mass of material resembling a stopper
2
: a flat compressed cake of tobacco
3
: a small core or segment removed from a larger object
4
: something inferior
especially : an inferior often aged or unsound horse
5
6
: an artificial fishing lure used primarily for casting and made with one or more sets of gang hooks
7
: any of various devices resembling or functioning like a plug: such as
a
: a male fitting for making an electrical connection to a live circuit by insertion in a receptacle (such as an outlet)
b
: a device for connecting electric wires to a jack
8
: a piece of favorable publicity or a favorable mention usually incorporated in general matter

plug

2 of 2

verb

plugged; plugging

transitive verb

1
a
: to stop, make tight, or secure by inserting a plug
b
: to remedy (a deficiency) as if by inserting a plug
trying to plug the gaps in their understanding
2
: to hit with a bullet : shoot
3
: to advertise or publicize insistently

intransitive verb

1
: to become plugged
usually used with up
2
: to work doggedly and persistently
plugged away at her homework
3
: to fire shots
plugger noun
Phrases
plug into
1
: to connect or become connected to by or as if by means of a plug
the city was plugged into the new highway system
2
: to load into as if by means of a plug
plugged the data into a computer

Examples of plug in a Sentence

Verb We were able to plug the hole with cement. One of the DJs on the local radio station has been plugging the band's new album. He plugged him right in the chest.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Clairo has pulled the plug on three performances in Toronto. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2024 Skaff explained how Bossa Nova Robotics, which had raised more than $100 million in venture funding, according to PitchBook, had deployed robots across 600 Walmart supercenters in a major contract before the retailer opted to pull the plug. Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2024
Verb
The tree plugs into a standard outlet and features a 60-foot cord. Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2024 Zoom in: The new exchange, internally called Spotify Ad Exchange or SAX, can be plugged into various demand-side platforms (DSPs) to help connect advertisers directly to their inventory. Sara Fischer, Axios, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for plug 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plug.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Dutch, from Middle Dutch plugge; akin to Middle High German pfloc plug

First Known Use

Noun

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1630, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of plug was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near plug

Cite this Entry

“Plug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plug. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

plug

1 of 2 noun
1
: a piece used to close or fill a hole
2
: a flat cake of tightly pressed tobacco leaves
3
: something of lesser quality
especially : a worn-out horse
4
5
: a lure with several hooks used in casting for fish
6
: a device usually on a cord used to make an electrical connection by putting it into another part (as a socket)
7
: a piece of favorable publicity

plug

2 of 2 verb
plugged; plugging
1
: to stop, make tight, or secure with or as if with a plug
plug the leak with tar
2
: to hit with a bullet : shoot
3
: to advertise or publicize over and over
4
: to become plugged
usually used with up
the drain was plugged up
5
: to keep steadily at work or in action
plugged away at my homework
plugger noun

Medical Definition

plug

1 of 2 noun
: a piece of material (as wood or alloy) used or serving to fill a hole: as
a
: the piece in a cock that can be turned to regulate the flow of liquid or gas
b
: an obstructing mass of material in a bodily vessel or opening (as of the cervix or a skin lesion)
c
: a filling for a hollow tooth

plug

2 of 2 transitive verb
plugged; plugging
1
: to stop, make tight, or secure (as an opening) by or as if by insertion of a plug : close an opening in
2
: to fill a cavity in (a tooth)

More from Merriam-Webster on plug

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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