plug-in

1 of 3

adjective

: designed to be connected to an electric circuit by plugging in
a plug-in toy
a plug-in circuit board

plug-in

2 of 3

noun

1
: something that plugs in
2
: a small piece of software that supplements a larger program (such as a browser)

plug in

3 of 3

verb

plugged in; plugging in; plugs in

intransitive verb

: to establish an electric circuit by inserting a plug

transitive verb

: to attach or connect to an electric receptacle (such as an outlet)

Examples of plug-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
So, the authors should consider plug-in hybrids as a reasonable interim step, while chargers move consumers to adapt to all-electric vehicles when more charging alternatives are available. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024 For this build, the team began with a RAV4 plug-in hybrid that provides 302 horsepower. Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
Enlarge Ars Technica AutoPacific broke the data out into those looking for internal combustion engine vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or battery EVs. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 24 Mar. 2023 Witricity has previously conducted a couple pilots with BMW on the 5 series plug-in hybrid in Europe and California using its WPT. Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for plug-in 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1922, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1903, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of plug-in was in 1903

Dictionary Entries Near plug-in

Cite this Entry

“Plug-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plug-in. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

plug-in

1 of 2 noun
ˈpləg-ˌin
: software that adds to the capabilities of a larger program (as a browser)

plug in

2 of 2 verb
: to establish an electric circuit by inserting a plug

More from Merriam-Webster on plug-in

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!