drop-in

[ drop-in ]

/ ˈdrɒpˌɪn /

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noun

Also dropper-in. Informal. a person who or thing that pays an unexpected or uninvited visit: a feeder for squirrels, raccoons, and other drop-ins.

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.

adjective

provided for short-term patronage: a drop-in shelter for people who are moving through homelessness.

requiring only insertion to be ready for use: a drop-in battery pack.

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Origin of drop-in

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

Words nearby drop-in

drop front, drop girt, drop goal, drop hammer, drophead coupé, drop-in, drop-in centre, drop initial, drop in one's tracks, drop in someone's lap, drop in the bucket

How to use drop-in in a sentence

During an emergency that ratio could be allowed to drop to 8.5 people per orbit.
Exclusive: U.S. Drone Fleet at ‘Breaking Point,’ Air Force Says|Dave Majumdar|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This is a guy who has his son-in-law clean his eyeglasses, for crying out loud.
Will Chris Christie Regret His Cowboy Hug?|Matt Lewis|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But with the pipeline, transportation costs drop and production would be higher.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: Jan. 4|PunditFact.com|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Her travel clique has been known to arrive at an airport, bags packed, passport-in-hand, within hours of spotting a deal.
‘We Out Here’: Inside the New Black Travel Movement|Charlise Ferguson|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Earl Spencer adds, “Effectively, my great-grandfather sold his children to his father-in-law.”
The Real-Life ‘Downton’ Millionairesses Who Changed Britain|Tim Teeman|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Before he could finish the sentence the Hole-keeper said snappishly, "Well, drop out again—quick!"
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
At a quarter past seven he took his leave and we let drop our anchor where we were, off Cape Tekke.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
Such throats are trying, are they not?In case one catches cold; Ah, yes!
Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17)|Various
Now and then he touched one with his long and sallow fingers, lifted its cover, then let it drop mechanically.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
The commander-in-chief still kept him attached to the headquarter staff, and constantly employed him on special service.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison

British Dictionary definitions for drop-in

drop in

verb (intr, adverb)

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012