plug-in

adjective \ ˈpləg-ˌin \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Definition of plug-in

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

a plug-in toy

a plug-in circuit board

First Known Use of plug-in

1922

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

plug-in

noun

Definition of plug-in

1 : something that plugs in

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

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See plug-in defined for kids

First Known Use of plug-in

1946

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

plug in

verb

Definition of plug 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)

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Recent Examples of plug in from the Web

Spending a week away from the internet is a great way to ignore the hype, but even on weeks when he is plugged in Glover likes to stay away from the hot takes.

— shannon carlin, refinery29.com, "Donald Glover Opens Up About His Sensitivity Around "This Is America" Criticism," 11 May 2018
The Model 3 starts at $35,000 and can go as much as 300 miles between plugging in.

— keith naughton, Bloomberg.com, "GM's Electric Bolt Slows While Tesla Model 3 Sales Pick Up Speed," 2 May 2018
Cardinals offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said Rosen is good enough right now to plug in and play if Arizona didn’t have Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon in its quarterback room.

— bob mcmanaman, azcentral, "Arizona Cardinals rookie QB Josh Rosen has a mentor and new friend in Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers," 27 Apr. 2018
White Rabbit's main product is a browser plug in that recognizes content being streamed over peer-to-peer connections and allows viewers to pay rights holders directly via blockchain technology using digital tokens.

— scott roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, "K5 International Buys into Blockchain Group White Rabbit," 18 Apr. 2018
FordPass SmartLink addresses this issue with a simple OBD II device that plugs in to 2010 to 2017 Fords and pairs with smartphones.

— tony markovich, Car and Driver, "FordPass SmartLink OBD II Plug-In Connects 2010–2017 Models to the Modern Day," 21 Mar. 2018
These days, an over-stressed population is always plugged in.

— joe taschler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Business Leader of the Year Helen Johnson-Leipold leads big parts of the Johnson family business," 18 May 2018
There are plenty of seating areas in the lobby, with each surface top having a port to plug in computers and phones.

— karen caffarini, Post-Tribune, "Growth of extended stay hotels continues in Merrillville," 10 May 2018
Don is deeply plugged in to NBA style in 2018, whether as a powerful if infrequent Jordan collaborator or on his lonesome.

— jake woolf, GQ, "Don C Reveals His New Air Jordan Collaboration," 18 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plug in.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of plug in

1903

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

PLUG-IN Defined for English Language Learners

plug-in

noun

Definition of plug-in for English Language Learners

computers : a small piece of software that adds a feature to a larger program or makes a program work better

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See words that rhyme with plug-in Nglish: Translation of plug-in for Spanish speakers

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plug-in

Definition of plug-in

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plug-in

Definition of plug-in

First Known Use of plug-in

plug in

Definition of plug in

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First Known Use of plug in

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plug-in

Definition of plug-in for English Language Learners

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plug-in

Definition of plug-in

First Known Use of plug-in

plug-in

Definition of plug-in

First Known Use of plug-in

plug in

Definition of plug in

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First Known Use of plug in

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plug-in

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