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
This observance was established to create awareness of plug-in and hybrid-electric vehicles. — baltimoresun.com, "Electric Car Show coming to Clarksville Commons," 13 Sep. 2019 Ford was one of the early entrants in the battery-car market, offering a mix of hybrids, plug-ins and pure battery-electric vehicles. — NBC News, "Take a look at Ford's new 'Mustang-inspired' electric SUV," 9 Sep. 2019 Widespread and lengthy failures of the electric grid in Venezuela earlier this year reignited my worries that terrorist organizations or malign foreign states will someday deal us a major blow by pulling our collective plug for an extended period. — Eric Zorn, chicagotribune.com, "Column: High anxiety: 9 things that are keeping me up at night," 5 July 2019 Her travel staples include her cellphone, laptop and tablet, as well as her plug-in universal power adapter. — Houston Chronicle, "Head out with the best travel gear, whether on the road or in the air," 27 June 2019 The issues began in late July, when a plug attached to the hood started blowing sparks, according to Armstead. — Janelle Bitker, SFChronicle.com, "Rashad Armstead’s Grammie’s Down-Home Chicken & Seafood to close in Oakland," 12 Sep. 2019 At the low end is a custom ear plug that is molded to fit each ear. — John Goodspeed, ExpressNews.com, "Scouting interesting stuff to make hunts more fun," 12 Sep. 2019 The governor’s underground adventure was also a plug for short-term pain. — BostonGlobe.com, "Arriving by train would be a way to mark it as a special occasion. “It’s a big deal for the T and a big deal for the Red Line,” Baker explained.," 10 Sep. 2019 And while there is one 12-volt plug for charging, there are no USB ports. — Mark Maynard, San Diego Union-Tribune, "2019 VW Arteon: a cure for the common sedan," 6 Sep. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Clarkson belted out the lyrics easily over the plugging guitar riff, putting a feminist twist on the nearly-50-year-old track. — Abby Jones, Billboard, "Kelly Clarkson Records Fiesty 'American Woman' Cover for Alicia Silverstone's Series: Watch," 18 May 2018 The state is now responsible for plugging and decommissioning Veneco’s wells at an estimated cost of $58 million. — Washington Post, "Evidence of an oil spill was obvious, but was it a crime?," 19 Apr. 2018 Both teams will have been working hard on their attack game during the week and Watford will have hoped to have plug the holes that were exposed by Brighton. — SI.com, "Everton vs Watford Preview: Where to Watch, Buy Tickets, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News," 14 Aug. 2019 Short-term concerns, however, led church officials early on to focus on plugging holes. — David Heinzmann, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago Archdiocese pledged $150 million for a scholarship trust. Six years later, it holds less than a third of the money.," 25 July 2019 If the attachment plate needs to be closer or farther from the edge of the door, plug the existing screw holes with short pieces of wooden toothpicks and wood glue, then redrill in the right location and reattach the plate. — Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, "Repairing a kitchen cabinet hinge can be a complex operation," 9 July 2019 Assuming Waston starts for Cincinnati at center back, the club is still thin on the backline and will need to plug holes all night to avoid another lopsided scoreline. — Pat Brennan, Cincinnati.com, "FC Cincinnati versus Houston Dynamo: Keys to the game and prediction," 4 July 2019 For a team that could need to plug holes at starting shooting guard, small forward and center, that could mean trouble. — Connor Letourneau, SFChronicle.com, "‘You overcome it’: What’s next for Warriors, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant," 14 June 2019 Although sometimes similar to tanks in appearance, tank destroyers sacrifice armor for the ability to quickly plug holes in friendly anti-tank defenses. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "This Destroyer Concept Is a Tank Battalion’s Worst Nightmare," 5 Sep. 2019These 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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