plug-in

1 of 3

adjective

ˈpləg-ˌin 

: designed to be connected to an electric circuit by plugging in

a plug-in toy

a plug-in circuit board

plug-in

2 of 3

noun

1

: something that plugs in

2

: a small piece of software that supplements a larger program (such as a browser)

plug in

3 of 3

verb

plugged in; plugging in; plugs in

intransitive verb

: to establish an electric circuit by inserting a plug

transitive verb

: to attach or connect to an electric receptacle (such as an outlet)

Examples of plug-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

My veterinarian ruled out a urinary tract infection and suggested adding another litter box and plug-in pheromones. — Cathy M. Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026

Though hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles eventually fade out, the sales of battery electric vehicles continued to increase all the way to 2050 in their model. — Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026

Noun

Yet most hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems come with a trade-off. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 28 June 2026

Returning powertrain options include the 241-hp plug-in eHybrid 4Motion all-wheel drive, the 148-hp turbo-diesel front-wheel drive, and the 201-hp gas turbo FWD. — New Atlas, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1922, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1903, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for plug-in

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• crankpin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin

Kids Definition

plug-in

1 of 2 noun

ˈpləg-ˌin

: software that adds to the capabilities of a larger program (as a browser)

plug in

2 of 2 verb

: to establish an electric circuit by inserting a plug