unplug

verb

un·​plug ˌən-ˈpləg 

unplugged; unplugging; unplugs

transitive verb

1

a

: to take a plug out of

b

: to remove an obstruction from

2

a

: to remove (a plug, such as an electric plug) from a socket or receptacle

b

: to disconnect from an electric circuit by removing a plug

unplug the refrigerator

intransitive verb

: to temporarily refrain from using electronic devices (such as computers or smartphones)

If you go on a summer vacation, how much are you willing to truly unplug? For many of us, it can be hard to put the phone down.

—Ari Shapiro

also : to temporarily withdraw from the responsibilities and obligations of everyday life (such as work or home duties)

Think of yourself as a human being instead of a human doer and make a conscious effort to unplug and recharge.

—Bryan Robinson

Synonyms

• open
• clear

Examples of unplug in a Sentence

I forgot to unplug my guitar from the amp.

the chimney should work just fine once it is unplugged and cleaned out

Recent Examples on the Web

This is akin to the driving instructor who unplugs the GPS, the biology teacher who rejects the microscope, the accounting professor who bans calculators or digital spreadsheets, and the musicologist who forbids digital audio software. —Ann Kirschner, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Instead of playing house, this style is a perfect setting for journaling, meditating, or simply unplugging. —Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2025

Sibley Birds app ditch your phone or camera and unplug Kate Wong is an award-winning science writer and senior editor at Scientific American focused on evolution, ecology, anthropology, archaeology, paleontology and animal behavior. —Kate Wong, Scientific American, 4 Aug. 2025

Some were here to fish for tarpon and bonefish, while others simply wanted to unplug and unwind for a week. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for unplug

• debug
• humbug
• prodrug
• antidrug
• mealybug
• multidrug
• chug
• doug
• drug
• dug
• hug
• jug

Kids Definition

unplug

verb

un·​plug ˌən-ˈpləg 

ˈən-

1

: to remove (as an electric plug) from a socket or opening

2

: to disconnect from an electric circuit by removing a plug

unplug the television

3

: to temporarily refrain from using electronic devices (as computers or smartphones)