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
First recorded in 1920–25; adjective and noun use of verb phrase plug in
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
An escalation in European Union trade barriers could pose some risks, as the bloc plans to extend tariff hikes to imports of Chinese plug-in hybrids, they say.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
Ian Plummer, chief customer officer of car selling website Autotrader, says the rising EV demand is "driven by intensifying competition and rising consumer interest in plug-in cars".
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026
Fully-electric cars comprised 23% of all cars sold and plug-in hybrid models accounted for 25%.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 3, 2026
The Nasdaq-listed company has been struggling with slowing demand for the plug-in hybrid vehicles it specializes in.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026
I dug up Radar’s e-mail about his Omnictionary program and downloaded the plug-in.
From "Paper Towns" by John Green
It’s coming at a time when electricity demand is rising, in large part because of the artificial-intelligence race and the need to plug in more data centers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 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
To game that out, Klosterman said you could invent and plug in a weather forecast with higher temperatures.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2026
Miliband's focus today is on plug in solar panels, which he says will be available to buy in the UK later this year.
From BBC ● Mar. 23, 2026
Leo doubted the poor guy could pop a spark plug in the shape he was in.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
China’s exports of EVs more than doubled in March from a year earlier as rising fuel prices boosted the appeal of plug-ins.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 12, 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
A wave of new hybrid models is coming online in 2025, both traditional hybrids and plug-ins.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 15, 2025
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.
