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• Plug and Play
  Plug and Play

  noun

  a standard for the production of compatible computers, peripherals, and software that facilitates device installation and enables automatic configuration of the system.
• plug and play
  plug and play

  noun

  computing a feature of hardware that enables computers to automatically detect and configure hardware devices without the need for intervention

Plug and Play

American  

noun

1. (sometimes lowercase) a standard for the production of compatible computers, peripherals, and software that facilitates device installation and enables automatic configuration of the system.

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plug and play British  

noun

1. computing a feature of hardware that enables computers to automatically detect and configure hardware devices without the need for intervention

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adjective

1. capable of detecting the addition of a new input or output device and automatically activating the appropriate control software

Etymology

Origin of Plug and Play

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Plug and Play plug and play

Plug and Play EV, an electric vehicle advocacy channel on YouTube, demonstrated how the system works.

From The Verge ● Aug. 12, 2022

Accelerator operators like TechStars and Plug and Play Tech Center pair large companies like Home Depot, Johnson and Johnson, Citibank and Coca-Cola with startups that could benefit from their connections and experience.

From Washington Times ● Aug. 11, 2015

Just this week, Citi Ventures announced that it is partnering with Californian accelerator, Plug and Play, to launch a global FinTech innovation program, with locations in the US, Germany, Singapore, Brazil and Spain.

From Forbes ● Dec. 5, 2014

They received $25,000 from Plug and Play Tech Center, a Sunnyvale, Calif., accelerator that helps start-ups with funds and expertise.

From Washington Post

Microsoft is working on a competing standard called Universal Plug and Play.

From Time Magazine Archive

"This device wasn't made to be your plug and play controller, it's meant to be specifically a controller for your PC," said one justification of the cost.

From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026

"This suggests that adding replacement neurons isn't plug and play," Baldwin says.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 25, 2024

Temple has also created a web app that lets anyone plug and play their own DNA that’s been sequenced by a company such as 23andMe or Ancestry.com.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 3, 2023

The current instructions shouldn’t be too unfamiliar to anyone with a decent amount of Linux or modding experience, but I’d imagine they’re pretty intimidating for someone looking to plug and play.

From The Verge ● May 9, 2022

But, Mr. Perry said, as the metaverse gets built out, “there’s going to be more plug and play assets.”

From New York Times ● Dec. 8, 2021