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
As Hoque points out, being OPEN, operating with CARE, and leading with purpose will be necessary for a leader to pull the plug if something isn’t right. Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025 The legendary filmmaker pitches studio head Matt Remick (Seth Rogen) a movie about the Jonestown cult and weeps openly when Matt later pulls the plug. Fred Topel, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
The MoD spokesperson pointed to the U.K.'s commitment to plug an extra £5 billion, or $6.4 billion, into the defense budget in 2025, and raise defense spending to hit 2.5 percent of the U.K.'s GDP by 2027. John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025 This time last year, the Mets had already made a flurry of pitching transactions to plug the bullpen leaks and would continue to do so through April. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plug. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

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

: 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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