plug-in
adjective
capable of or designed for being connected to an electrical power source by plugging in or inserting: a plug-in transistor.
plug in
British
verb
noun
-
a device that can be connected by means of a plug
-
computing a module or piece of software that can be added to a system to provide extra functions or features, esp software that enhances the capabilities of a web browser
-
computing ( as modifier )
plug-in memory cards
plug-in
Scientific
/ plŭg′ĭn′ /
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of plug-in
First recorded in 1920–25; adjective and noun use of verb phrase plug in
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said that the two regions reached a shared understanding in compliance with World Trade Organization rules that China would reduce its hybrid and plug-in hybrid exports.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
With global demand for electric vehicles slowing, Leiters said Porsche would continue to invest in internal combustion engines and plug-in hybrids.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
A new California law legalizes the plug-in solar panels that are becoming popular in other states and in Europe.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
Berlin would push for "concrete measures" from Brussels in areas including plug-in hybrids and local content requirements, he said.
From Barron's ● Sep. 17, 2026
The other food—sliced turkey, ham, roast beef, and salami, a big tub of tuna salad, and meatballs in a plug-in pot—was off-limits.
From "When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead
One option is to start with sales data, assume that new EVs replace similar vehicles burning gasoline or diesel, then plug in numbers for distance traveled and fuel efficiency.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
With digital cameras offering an element of surprise when you plug in the memory card reader to your computer at home, digital cameras capture a moment in time.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
When they get home, the residents of a small housing association on the outskirts of Hudiksvall, Sweden, plug in their electric vehicles to charge them or, intriguingly, power their homes.
From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026
Although the vehicles may be capable of driving themselves, they can’t clean their own interiors, plug in a charging cable or repair hardware.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 30, 2026
He looks up and says, "Em, would you plug in the scope?"
From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements
Though such advances could potentially help some software companies increase profit margins, investors still worry they could also put some out of business, as clients develop software themselves or use the plug-ins.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 6, 2026
In their view, “legal plug-ins will not replace robust, mature tool stacks like Intuit.”
From Barron's ● Feb. 4, 2026
The company also released plug-ins for finance, customer service and other areas.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 3, 2026
Making music, once the very definition of artistic collaboration, now more often than not occurs in isolation with a vast library of plug-ins designed to mimic the sounds of various recording studios.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 20, 2024
I see that it could be possible to use the logic board from the first one, and the chipsets and plug-ins from the other two.
From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
