plug: Meaning and Definition of

plug

Pronunciation: (plug), [key]
— n., v., plugged, plug•ging.
—n.
  1. a piece of wood or other material used to stop up a hole or aperture, to fill a gap, or to act as a wedge.
  2. a core or interior segment taken from a larger matrix.
  3. a device to which may be attached the conductors of a cord and which by insertion in a jack, or screwing into a receptacle, establishes contact.
  4. See(def. 1).
  5. a fireplug or hydrant.
  6. a cake of pressed tobacco.
  7. a piece of tobacco cut off for chewing.
  8. the favorable mention of something, as in a lecture, radio show, etc.; advertisement; recommendation: The actress was happy to give her new show a plug.
  9. an artificial lure made of wood, plastic, or metal, and fitted with one or more gang hooks, used chiefly in casting.
  10. neck (def. 14).
  11. a worn-out or inferior horse.
  12. a shopworn or unsalable article.
  13. a small piece of sod used esp. for seeding a lawn.
  14. a patch of scalp with viable hair follicles that is used as a graft for a bald part of the head. Cf.
  15. punch (def. 1).
    1. a mandrel on which tubes are formed.
    2. a punch on which a cup is drawn.
    3. a protrusion on a forging die for forming a recess in the work.
    4. a false bottom on a die.
  16. Also calleda small piece of wood inserted into masonry as a hold for a nail.
  17. See under
  18. Also calleda man's tall silk hat.
  19. The government has threatened to pull the plug on further subsidies.
    1. to discontinue or terminate:The government has threatened to pull the plug on further subsidies.
    2. to disconnect life-sustaining equipment from (a moribund patient).
—v.t.
  1. to stop or fill with or as if with a plug (often fol. by up): to plug up a leak; plug a gap.
  2. to insert or drive a plug into.
  3. to secure with or as if with a plug.
  4. to insert (something) as a plug.
  5. to remove a core or a small plug-shaped piece from.
  6. to remove the center of (a coin) and replace it with a baser metal: a plugged nickel.
  7. to mention (something) favorably, as in a lecture, radio show, etc.: He says he will appear if he can plug his new TV series.
  8. to punch with the fist.
  9. to shoot or strike with a bullet.
—v.i.
  1. to work with stubborn persistence (often fol. by along or away): You're doing a fine job—just keep plugging. Some writers will plug away at the same novel for several years.
  2. to publicize insistently: Whenever he gets the chance, he's plugging for his company.
  3. to shoot or fire shots.
  4. Plug the TV set in over there.
    1. to connect to an electrical power source:Plug the TV set in over there.
    2. Informal.to add or include; incorporate:They still have to plug in more research data.
  5. The device will plug into any convenient wall outlet. The proposed new departments would eventually plug into the overall organizational plan.
    1. to connect or become connected by or as if by means of a plug:The device will plug into any convenient wall outlet. The proposed new departments would eventually plug into the overall organizational plan.
    2. Informal.to feel an affinity for; like; understand:Some kids just don't plug into sports in school.
  6. to become plugged: The drain in the sink plugs up every so often.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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