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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

I recently visited the Plug and Play Tech Center, a tech incubator in Silicon Valley with a special program for retail-focused startups. 

From Forbes ● Apr. 8, 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

SS-H2 is not yet a plug and play solution for the hydrogen economy.

From Science Daily ● May 10, 2026

"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

While dipping heavily into the transfer portal is widely referred to as plug and play, UCLA’s recent approach under Chip Kelly might be best described as plug and pray.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2023

“We do not aim to outperform traditional multi-speaker setups but rather to offer a plug and play and wire-free solution with Devialet’s state-of-the-art sound quality,” the company says on its website.

From The Verge ● Aug. 15, 2022

More important, both — ready-made, plug and play stars — would continue to thrive after he is gone.

From New York Times ● Aug. 13, 2021