plug-in

1 of 3

adjective

ˈpləg-ˌin 

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

a plug-in toy

a plug-in circuit board

plug-in

2 of 3

noun

1

: something that plugs in

2

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

plug in

3 of 3

verb

plugged in; plugging in; plugs 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)

Examples of plug-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Chinese are also concentrating on plug-in hybrids, which don’t carry the same penal tariffs as pure EVs, and which may have a long-term future if the EU decides to dilute its carbon dioxide emissions regime. —Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

Zhu said that Leapmotor will more than double its vehicle lineup to 15 models by 2027 and that will include launching a plug-in hybrid. —Bernadette Baum, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025

Noun

Enlarge Ars Technica AutoPacific broke the data out into those looking for internal combustion engine vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or battery EVs. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 24 Mar. 2023

Witricity has previously conducted a couple pilots with BMW on the 5 series plug-in hybrid in Europe and California using its WPT. —Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1922, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1903, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for plug-in

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin
• pinyin

Kids Definition

plug-in

1 of 2 noun

ˈpləg-ˌin

: software that adds to the capabilities of a larger program (as a browser)

plug in

2 of 2 verb

: to establish an electric circuit by inserting a plug