plug

1 of 2

noun

ˈpləg 

1

a

: 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

5

a

: hydrant, fireplug

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

2 of 2

verb

plugged; plugging

transitive verb

1

a

: 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

intransitive verb

1

: to become plugged

—usually used with up

2

: to work doggedly and persistently

plugged away at her homework

3

: to fire shots

plugger noun

Phrases

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

Synonyms

Verb

• block
• bung
• dam
• fill
• pack
• stop
• stuff

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

Detached palps act as both sperm delivery systems and physical mating plugs, blocking rival males from mating with the female. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Garden centers have plugs available in nursery flats now. —Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2025

Verb

Only plug one heat-producing appliance into a receptacle outlet at a time. —Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2025

That spending plan would have left the state with a modest $363 million discretionary surplus, ending a two-year streak in which state lawmakers needed to plug significant spending shortfalls. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Dutch, from Middle Dutch plugge; akin to Middle High German pfloc plug

First Known Use

Noun

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1630, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing plug

• give a plug for
• glow plug
• plug and play
• plug away
• plug hat
• plug in
• plug into
• plug-ugly
• pull the plug
• put in a plug for
• sparking plug
• spark plug
• wall plug

Rhymes for plug

• chug
• doug
• drug
• dug
• hug
• jug
• lug
• mug
• pug
• rug
• rugg
• shrug

Kids Definition

plug

1 of 2 noun

ˈpləg 

1

: a piece used to close or fill a hole

2

: a flat cake of tightly pressed tobacco leaves

3

: something of lesser quality

especially : a worn-out horse

4

: spark plug sense 1

5

: a lure with several hooks used in casting for fish

6

: a device usually on a cord used to make an electrical connection by putting it into another part (as a socket)

7

: a piece of favorable publicity

plug

2 of 2 verb

plugged; plugging

1

: to stop, make tight, or secure with or as if with a plug

plug the leak with tar

2

: to hit with a bullet : shoot

3

: to advertise or publicize over and over

4

: to become plugged

—usually used with up

the drain was plugged up

5

: to keep steadily at work or in action

plugged away at my homework

plugger noun

Medical Definition

plug

1 of 2 noun

ˈpləg 

: 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

2 of 2 transitive verb

plugged; plugging

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)