drop-in

American  

[drop-in] / ˈdrɒpˌɪn /

noun

1. Informal. Also a person who or thing that pays an unexpected or uninvited visit.

   a feeder for squirrels, raccoons, and other drop-ins.

2. Informal. a social gathering at which the guests are not expected to stay long.

   Be sure to stop by our house for a glass of eggnog at our Christmas drop-in.

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adjective

1. provided for short-term patronage.

   a drop-in shelter for people who are moving through homelessness.

2. requiring only insertion to be ready for use.

   a drop-in battery pack.

drop in British  

verb

1. surfing to intrude on a wave that another surfer is already riding

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Etymology

Origin of drop-in

First recorded in 1810–20; noun and adjective use of verb phrase drop in

Example Sentences

The result is a drop-in replacement for metallurgical coal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

Additional drop-in and pop-up clinics are being organised this year to try to ensure eligible people can get a jab.

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2025

Right now, Stringer is ramping up on wholesale deals and looking to test out a drop-in style model at Backhouse.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2025

People listed a variety of tactics, including avoiding sleeping in exposed places, walking around at night instead of sleeping, and spending more time at drop-in centers.

From Slate • Sep. 1, 2025

It passed churches, meditation halls, mosques, drop-in clinics for Mellowers and an entire floor devoted to the Lion Spirit Medium, who relayed messages from mhondoro, the spirit of the land.

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer

Related Words

• come by
• come over
• pop in
• turn up