plug

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a piece used to fill a hole : stopper
b
: an obtruding or obstructing mass of material resembling a stopper
2
: a flat compressed cake of tobacco
3
: a small core or segment removed from a larger object
4
: something inferior
especially : an inferior often aged or unsound horse
5
6
: an artificial fishing lure used primarily for casting and made with one or more sets of gang hooks
7
: any of various devices resembling or functioning like a plug: such as
a
: a male fitting for making an electrical connection to a live circuit by insertion in a receptacle (such as an outlet)
b
: a device for connecting electric wires to a jack
8
: a piece of favorable publicity or a favorable mention usually incorporated in general matter

plug

2 of 2

verb

plugged; plugging

transitive verb

1
a
: to stop, make tight, or secure by inserting a plug
b
: to remedy (a deficiency) as if by inserting a plug
trying to plug the gaps in their understanding
2
: to hit with a bullet : shoot
3
: to advertise or publicize insistently

intransitive verb

1
: to become plugged
usually used with up
2
: to work doggedly and persistently
plugged away at her homework
3
: to fire shots
plugger noun
Phrases
plug into
1
: to connect or become connected to by or as if by means of a plug
the city was plugged into the new highway system
2
: to load into as if by means of a plug
plugged the data into a computer

Examples of plug in a Sentence

Verb We were able to plug the hole with cement. One of the DJs on the local radio station has been plugging the band's new album. He plugged him right in the chest.
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.
Noun
Rather than risk an extended lawsuit that could jeopardize bundling in general — including Disney’s efforts to bundle its own streaming entities (ESPN, Hulu and Disney+) — the three companies decided to pull the plug on Venu, according to the people familiar. Alex Sherman,sara Salinas, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025 Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery have pulled the plug on Venu, the mega-service that was once set to host a raft of major leagues under one banner, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, college football, and the WNBA, among several others. Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
Portable chargers are small enough, and with the advent of MagSafe user-friendly enough, so that there’s really no excuse to be plugging into an unknown charging hub at the airport, train station or hotel lobby. Davey Winder, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 With more concerts still to be revealed, two additional shows have been plugged into the schedule at the Idaho Botanical Garden’s outdoor venue. Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for plug 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Dutch, from Middle Dutch plugge; akin to Middle High German pfloc plug

First Known Use

Noun

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1630, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of plug was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near plug

Cite this Entry

“Plug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plug. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

plug

1 of 2 noun
1
: a piece used to close or fill a hole
2
: a flat cake of tightly pressed tobacco leaves
3
: something of lesser quality
especially : a worn-out horse
4
5
: a lure with several hooks used in casting for fish
6
: a device usually on a cord used to make an electrical connection by putting it into another part (as a socket)
7
: a piece of favorable publicity

plug

2 of 2 verb
plugged; plugging
1
: to stop, make tight, or secure with or as if with a plug
plug the leak with tar
2
: to hit with a bullet : shoot
3
: to advertise or publicize over and over
4
: to become plugged
usually used with up
the drain was plugged up
5
: to keep steadily at work or in action
plugged away at my homework
plugger noun

Medical Definition

plug

1 of 2 noun
: a piece of material (as wood or alloy) used or serving to fill a hole: as
a
: the piece in a cock that can be turned to regulate the flow of liquid or gas
b
: an obstructing mass of material in a bodily vessel or opening (as of the cervix or a skin lesion)
c
: a filling for a hollow tooth

plug

2 of 2 transitive verb
plugged; plugging
1
: to stop, make tight, or secure (as an opening) by or as if by insertion of a plug : close an opening in
2
: to fill a cavity in (a tooth)

More from Merriam-Webster on plug

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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