n.

1. An object, such as a cork or a wad of cloth, used to fill a hole tightly; a stopper.

2. A dense mass of material that obstructs a passage.

3. A usually cylindrical or conic piece cut from something larger, often as a sample.

5. A hydrant.

7. Geology A mass of igneous rock filling the vent of a volcano.

8. Informal A favorable public mention of a commercial product, business, or performance, especially when broadcast.

9. Slang Something inferior, useless, or defective, especially an old, worn-out horse.

10. Slang A gunshot or bullet: a plug in the back.

11. A fishing lure having a hook or hooks.

v. tr.

1. To fill (a hole) tightly with or as if with a plug; stop up.

2. To insert (something) as a plug: plugged a cork in the bottle.

3. To insert in an appropriate place or position: plug a quarter into the parking meter; plugged the variables into the equation.

5. Informal To publicize (a product, for example) favorably, as by mentioning on a broadcast: authors who plug their latest books on TV talk shows.

v. intr.

1. To become stopped up or obstructed: a gutter that plugged up with leaves.

2. Informal To move or work doggedly and persistently: "You may plug along fifty years before you get anywhere" (Saul Bellow).

plug in

1. To connect (an appliance) to an electrical outlet.

2. To function by being connected to an electrical outlet: a power drill that plugs in.

3. Slang To cause (someone) to use a computer network, the internet, or an electronic device.

4. Slang To become informed about or involved with: was eager to plug in to the campus social scene.

plug into

1. To connect or be connected in the manner of an electrical appliance: The local system is plugged into the national telephone network. This computer plugs into a data bank.

2. Slang To cause (someone) to use a computer network, the internet, or an electronic device.

3. Slang To cause to be informed about or involved with: connoisseurs who are plugged into the current art scene.

[Dutch, from Middle Dutch

.]

n

1. a piece of wood, cork, or other material, often cylindrical in shape, used to stop up holes and gaps or as a wedge for taking a screw or nail

2. such a stopper used esp to close the waste pipe of a bath, basin, or sink while it is in use and removed to let the water drain away

3. (Electronics) a device having one or more pins to which an electric cable is attached: used to make an electrical connection when inserted into a socket

4. (Geological Science) Also called: volcanic plug a mass of solidified magma filling the neck of an extinct volcano

7. (Angling) angling a weighted artificial lure with one or more sets of hooks attached, used in spinning

8. (Horticulture) a seedling with its roots encased in potting compost, grown in a tray with compartments for each individual plant

9. informal a recommendation or other favourable mention of a product, show, etc, as on television, on radio, or in newspapers

10. slang a shot, blow, or punch (esp in the phrase take a plug at)

11. informal the mechanism that releases water to flush a lavatory (esp in the phrase pull the plug)

12. (Animals) chiefly US an old horse

13. pull the plug on informal to put a stop to

vb, plugs, plugging or plugged

14. (tr) to stop up or secure (a hole, gap, etc) with or as if with a plug

15. (tr) to insert or use (something) as a plug: to plug a finger into one's ear.

16. (tr) informal to make favourable and often-repeated mentions of (a song, product, show, etc), esp on television, on radio, or in newspapers

17. (Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery) (tr) slang to shoot with a gun: he plugged six rabbits.

18. (tr) slang to punch or strike

19. (intr; foll by along, away, etc) informal to work steadily or persistently

19. plug in,

a. to connect to an electrical power source.

b. to include: to plug in more data.

pull the plug on, Informal.

a. to terminate.

b. to disconnect life-sustaining equipment from (a moribund patient).