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plug-in

adjective \ ˈpləg-ˌin \
|Updated on: 4 Aug 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

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2

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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First Known Use of plug-in

1946

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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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

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

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

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