SINCE 1828
plug
noun
\ ˈpləg
\
\
Definition of plug
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: 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
b
: spark plug
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
verb
plugged;
plugging
Definition of plug (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: 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
1
: to become plugged
—usually used with up
2
: to work doggedly and persistently
plugged away at her homework
3
: to fire shots
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
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Synonyms for plug
Synonyms: Verb
block, bung, dam, fill, pack, stop, stuff
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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
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Nichol said the Tornado’s targeting system itself had effectively pulled the plug on the attack because the conditions for release weren’t right. — Mark Smith, Popular Mechanics, "Why the Panavia Tornado Is Such a Badass Plane," 10 Apr. 2019 Following a poor holiday shopping season, though, its owners decided to pull the plug for good. — Chavie Lieber, Vox, "Why bankrupt Toys R Us might not be dead after all," 3 Oct. 2018 An auto shut-off and speaker with audio plug for music makes this appealing for the whole family. — Karen Campbell, BostonGlobe.com, "Trouble sleeping? Let your senses be your guide," 12 July 2018 And, in what may be a first this year at Summerfest, the guitarist ended his set with a plug for organ donation. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Best and worst of Summerfest Day 8: Machine Gun Kelly, Brett Young and more," 5 July 2018 Admittedly, both are plugs for The Times, but both are terrific audio programs. — Steve Lohr, New York Times, "Now He Pulls Data Off the Web. In 1979, It Was Clips From the ‘Morgue.’," 27 June 2018 The detergent maker was a big winner the night of Feb. 4 with its series of spots parodying stereotypical TV ads, including plugs for low-budget insurance, beer, a new car, and even an Amazon Alexa ad. — Aisha Al-muslim, WSJ, "The Making of the Tide Ad That Scored in the Super Bowl," 17 June 2018 While Lyon may have pulled the plug for now - meaning this transfer will definitely not take place until after the World Cup - there are suggestions that talks could recommence at the end of the tournament. — SI.com, "Report Reveals Reasons Why Liverpool's Nabil Fekir Deal Fell Through & What Could Happen Next," 10 June 2018 These blocked pores appear raised due to plugs of oil and dead skin cells trapped beneath the surface. — Brennan Kilbane, Allure, "A Comprehensive Guide to the SkincareAddiction Subreddit," 5 Apr. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
By plugging data into standardized AI templates, auditors, analysts and actuaries who lack specialized AI training are able to identify sales prospects, spot risks and fraud, and boost organizational efficiency. ... — John Murawski, WSJ, "Yes, You Too Can Be an AI Expert," 1 Apr. 2019 Coach Tom Herman has spent the last few weeks sizing up who will plug the gaps on a defense that lost eight starters. — Jim Vertuno, The Seattle Times, "After 10-4 finish, Longhorns have to plug up defense," 13 Apr. 2019 Some students cried and were escorted out, while others plugged their ears. — Sara Cardine, latimes.com, "Preschoolers see – and hear – critters up close during wildlife visit," 17 May 2018 Behind the Blockade For a guy who has gone to great lengths to essentially plug his ears, Mr. Hagerman sure does talk a lot. — Sam Dolnick, New York Times, "The Man Who Knew Too Little," 10 Mar. 2018 Or, plug your measurements into an automatic mulch calculator. — Arricca Sansone, Country Living, "How Much Mulch Do I Need? Here's the Easiest Way to Find Out," 6 Feb. 2019 West Ham endured a similarly troubled start under Slaven Bilic, and called upon the experience of David Moyes to rebuild and restructure the side to plug the gaps in the Hammers’ deficiencies. — SI.com, "Why the Latest Managerial Revolution Proves That the Premier League Is the Strongest in the World," 3 June 2018 Reducing the dividend by veto and then through legislation kept about $1.5 billion available for future use to plug the fiscal gap. — Author: Charles Wohlforth | Opinion, Anchorage Daily News, "Walker should run as a Democrat or step aside for Begich," 7 Feb. 2018 Combined with plugging the gap in the RiverWalk across the Uniroyal site and other improvements planned, this year could mark the most dramatic expansion of riverfront access since the birth of the RiverWalk some 15 years ago. — John Gallagher, Detroit Free Press, "5 questions you have about Detroit's future: City airport, riverfront," 5 Jan. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plug.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for plug
plug
noun
English Language Learners Definition of plug
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a part at the end of an electric cord that has two or three metal pins that connect the cord to a source of electricity
: a part at the end of a wire or cable that is used to connect machines or devices
: a thing that is used to close a hole in a container or object
plug
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of plug (Entry 2 of 2)
: to fill or cover (a hole, space, etc.) with something
: to praise (something, such as a book, movie, or restaurant) publicly in a way that makes people want to buy it, see it, etc. : to advertise (something) by talking about it especially on the radio or television
US, informal + old-fashioned
: to shoot (someone) with a gun
See the full definition for plug in the English Language Learners Dictionary
plug
noun
\ ˈpləg
\
\
Kids Definition of plug
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a device usually on a cord used to make an electrical connection by putting it into another part (as a socket)
2
: a piece (as of wood or metal) used to stop up or fill a hole
plug
verb
plugged;
plugging
Kids Definition of plug (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to connect to an electric circuit
Plug in the lamp.
2
: to stop or make tight with something that fills a hole
3
: to keep steadily at work or in action
I plugged away at my homework.
plug
noun
\ ˈpləg
\
\
Medical Definition of plug
(Entry 1 of 2)
: 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
transitive verb
plugged;
plugging
Medical Definition of plug (Entry 2 of 2)
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)
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