1 plug | Definition of plug

plug

noun
\ ˈpləg How to pronounce plug (audio) \

Definition of plug

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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
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

verb
plugged; plugging

Definition of plug (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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
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

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Other Words from plug

Verb

plugger noun

Synonyms for plug

Synonyms: Verb

block, bung, dam, fill, pack, stop, stuff

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

When similar conditions arose again in early November, PG&E again warned 70,000 customers of another possible shut-off, but in the end decided not to pull the plug. Steven Pearlstein, Washington Post, "California wildfire plan shows how we can adapt to threat of natural disasters," 23 Aug. 2019 Universal had already paused the film’s marketing campaign in the wake of the recent mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, but now the studio has pulled the plug entirely. Christian Holub, EW.com, "Universal cancels The Hunt release following controversy," 10 Aug. 2019 Six weeks after the successful static test of Livermore’s nuclear engine in Nevada in July 1964, the Pentagon pulled the plug on Pluto. Gregg Herken, Twin Cities, "Gregg Herken: Russia’s mysterious ‘new’ nuclear weapons aren’t really new," 16 Aug. 2019 His patience ultimately paid off after the Brewers pulled the plug on Saladino, who hit grand slams in consecutive games during his stay but did nothing else offensively. Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Somewhat unexpectedly, popular utility man Hernán Pérez is back with the Brewers," 9 Aug. 2019 But Cloudflare has been under increasing pressure to make editorial judgments and pull the plug on the most incendiary clients. Robert Channick, chicagotribune.com, "Cloudflare founder, who took down 8chan message board used by accused El Paso massacre suspect, has Chicago tech and law roots," 5 Aug. 2019 But conflicting stories about Wyatt's previous relationship history caused Brown to pull the plug on their engagement. Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "It Sure Looks Like Hannah Brown and Tyler Cameron Went on a Date Last Night," 2 Aug. 2019 Milan had agreed a deal with the Argentine earlier this summer, but had had to pull the plug after Monaco's €40m move for Andre Silva fell through. SI.com, "Angel Correa Decides on Milan Move & Waits on Rossoneri Agreement With Atletico," 1 Aug. 2019 General manager Brian Cashman pulled the plug on July 25, taking advantage of a trade market hungry for relievers by dealing Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, "As the trade deadline looms, the Red Sox face a tough call: salvage or shutter the season?," 20 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Over the past decade, teams of scientists at Stanford and MIT have continued to plug away at the problems of carbon nanotubes. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Milestone Carbon-Nanotube Microchip Sends First Message: ‘Hello World!’," 30 Aug. 2019 Bellerín is returning from a cruciate ligament injury and will be a welcome addition to Unai Emery's first-team, especially as Ainsley Maitland-Niles is still being used out of position to plug the gap in Arsenal's back four. SI.com, "Injured Arsenal Trio Set to Return Next Month as Rob Holding Features for Under-23s," 29 Aug. 2019 Hasbro plans to plug these characters into a brand-building infrastructure that has turned dormant properties like My Little Pony into massive revenue generators. Matt Townsend, Fortune, "Hasbro to Buy Peppa Pig Studio for $4 Billion," 23 Aug. 2019 All staffers are provided basic officer training as a condition of employment, but few civilians have been required to put that training into practice before they are tapped to plug security gaps. Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY, "Federal prison suicides were quietly rising before Jeffrey Epstein's death in a New York detention center," 22 Aug. 2019 Hasbro plans to plug these characters into a brand-building infrastructure that has turned dormant properties like My Little Pony into massive revenue generators. Bloomberg Wire, Dallas News, "Hasbro to buy Peppa Pig's owner for $4 billion," 22 Aug. 2019 Hasbro, based in Pawtucket, R.I., plans to plug these characters into a brand-building infrastructure that has turned dormant properties like My Little Pony into massive revenue generators. Los Angeles Times, "Hasbro buys ‘Peppa Pig’ studio eOne for $4 billion," 22 Aug. 2019 But another talented Libero, Alondra Garcia, moved in from Puerto Rico just in time to plug that gap. Buddy Collings, orlandosentinel.com, "Hagerty hunts for a championship | Volleyball Preview," 17 Aug. 2019 In August 2018, Icelandic composer Hildur Guðnadóttir found herself desperately, and unsuccessfully, trying to plug her European electric equipment into a Soviet-era power socket. Ellen Emmerentze Jervell, Billboard, "Icelandic Artist Drew Sounds From Power Plant to Compose 'Chernobyl' Soundtrack," 15 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plug.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of plug

Noun

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1630, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology for plug

Noun

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

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More Definitions for plug

plug

noun