plug-in

[pluhg-in]

adjective

1. capable of or designed for being connected to an electrical power source by plugging in or inserting: a plug-in transistor.

   a plug-in hair dryer;

   a plug-in transistor.

noun

1. plug.

2. jack.

3. a plug-in appliance.

4. Computers.,  a small software program that builds additional functionality into a stand-alone computer application.

   Your web browser can’t display this video without a plug-in.

plug in

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to connect (an electrical appliance) with a power source by means of an electrical plug

noun

1. a device that can be connected by means of a plug

2. 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

3. computing ( as modifier )

   plug-in memory cards

plug-in

1. An accessory software or hardware package that is used in conjunction with an existing application or device to extend its capabilities or provide additional functions.

Word History and Origins

Origin of plug-in¹

First recorded in 1920–25; adjective and noun use of verb phrase plug in

Example Sentences

The company’s management expects volume growth to resume next year with the resolution of the battery supply bottleneck and new generation plug-in hybrid model launches, he says.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The South East has more plug-in electric and hybrid car owners than anywhere else in England, with 27,000 registered across Sussex.

Read more on BBC

The plug-in hybrids, however, are currently imported from Japan, despite the 15% tariff, and Toyota hasn’t said when it will start making plug-in hybrid batteries in North Carolina.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Almost half of new cars in China were electric battery-powered or plug-in hybrids in 2024, according to the International Energy Agency.

Read more on Barron's

Compared with a year earlier, sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles grew 65.4% last month for a seventh consecutive month of growth, while sales of hybrid electric vehicles grew 16%.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• factor 
• ingredient 
• item 
• peripheral 
• piece 
• segment 
• unit