Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » plug

plug

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of a plug is something used to fill or stop a hole or gap.

(noun)

An example of a plug is a rubber sink stopper.

A plug is defined as the end piece of a cord for an electrical device with prongs that fit into a wall socket.

(noun)

An example of a plug is what connects a laptop to a wall to recharge its battery.

See plug in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

an object used to stop up a hole, gap, outlet, etc.
a natural concretion or formation that stops up a passage, duct, etc.
a small wedge or segment cut from something, as from a melon to test its ripeness
1. a cake of pressed tobacco
2. a piece of chewing tobacco
an electrical connector, as with projecting prongs, designed to be fitted into an outlet, etc., thus making contact or closing a circuit
a kind of fishing lure
1. spark plug
2. fireplug
3. ☆ plug hat
Informal a defective or shopworn article
☆ Slang an old, worn-out horse
☆ Informal a boost, advertisement, etc., esp. one inserted gratuitously in the noncommercial parts of a radio or TV program, magazine article, etc. for someone or something
Geol. igneous rock which has filled in the vent of a dead volcano and hardened: it is often exposed by erosion

Origin: MDu plugge, a bung, plug, block, akin to Ger pflock

transitive verb plugged, plugging

to stop up or fill (a hole, gap, etc.) by inserting a plug: often with up
to insert a plug of (something) in a hole or gap
☆ to cut a plug from (a melon) to test its ripeness
Informal
1. to publicize or boost (a song) by frequent performance
2. ☆ to advertise or publicize, esp. gratuitously in the noncommercial parts of a radio or TV program
Slang to shoot a bullet into
Slang to hit with the fist

intransitive verb

Informal to work or study hard and steadily; plod
to connect with something so as to become attached, to close an electric circuit, etc.: with into

Related Forms:

plugger noun

See plug in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An object, such as a cork or a wad of cloth, used to fill a hole tightly; a stopper.
A dense mass of material that obstructs a passage.
A usually cylindrical or conic piece cut from something larger, often as a sample.
Electricity
a. A fitting, commonly with two metal prongs for insertion in a fixed socket, used to connect an appliance to a power supply.
b. A spark plug.
A hydrant.
a. A flat cake of pressed or twisted tobacco.
b. A piece of chewing tobacco.
Geology A mass of igneous rock filling the vent of a volcano.
Informal A favorable public mention of a commercial product, business, or performance, especially when broadcast.
Slang Something inferior, useless, or defective, especially an old, worn-out horse.
Slang A gunshot or bullet: a plug in the back.
A lure to which hooks are attached, used especially in angling.

verb plugged plugged, plug·ging, plugs

verb, transitive

To fill (a hole) tightly with or as if with a plug; stop up.
To insert (something) as a plug: plugged a cork in the bottle.
Slang
a. To hit with a bullet; shoot.
b. To hit with the fist; punch.
Informal To publicize (a product, for example) favorably, as by mentioning on a broadcast: authors who plug their latest books on TV talk shows.

verb, intransitive

To become stopped up or obstructed: a gutter that plugged up with leaves.
Informal To work doggedly and persistently: “You may plug along fifty years before you get anywhere” (Saul Bellow).

Phrasal Verbs: plug in To connect (an appliance) to an electrical outlet. To function by being connected to an electrical outlet: a power drill that plugs in. plug into To connect or be connected to in the manner of an electrical appliance: The local system is plugged into the national telephone network. This computer plugs into a data bank. Slang To cause to be closely attuned or responsive to: connoisseurs who are plugged into the current art scene.

Origin:

Origin: Dutch

Origin: , from Middle Dutch plugge

Related Forms: