Home UK English plug-in

Meaning of plug-in in English:

plug-in

Pronunciation /ˈplʌgɪn/

Translate plug-in into Spanish

adjective

  • 1Able to be connected by means of a plug.

    ‘a plug-in kettle’
    • ‘It is a plug-in burglar alarm that connects instantly to any electrical socket outlet.’
    • ‘The lawnbeater is one of those plug-in kinds, so I get the grass down in largeish arcs around the electrical outlets - I have a lot of extension cords.’
    • ‘With no plug-in entertainment apart from the radio, it is nothing short of wonderful.’
    • ‘A few years ago I remember seeing advertisements for plug-in household ionisers that freshen the air and make you feel more wide awake.’
    • ‘Nowadays, I leave Britain armed with insect repellant of the plug-in type, plus spray, plus personal roll-on repellant.’
    • ‘A plug-in wiring connector will be attached to the back socket.’
    • ‘Remove plug-in appliances from the bathroom to avoid the risk of electric shock, and set the temperature on the water heater no higher than 120 F to prevent burns.’
    • ‘A simple plug-in diffuser that disperses a dog appeasing pheromone into the room is available at some veterinary practices.’
    1. 1.1Computing (of a module or software) able to be added to a system to give extra features or functions.
      ‘a plug-in graphics card’
      • ‘We envision a basic application that provides a framework for Internet telephony using plug-in modules to accomplish the various tasks to be performed.’
      • ‘The keyboard consists of a base, plus various keyboard plug-in modules that can be tailored to specific functions.’
      • ‘Then, within your company or industry group, you can buy the operating system and the plug-in tools that you need, and adapt them to your works.’
      • ‘Other handsets will presumably be supported through plug-in modems.’
      • ‘A USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a type of plug-in connection which connects electronic devices to computers.’

noun

  • 1Computing
    A plug-in module or plug-in software.

    ‘A creative mind can do miracles with the plug-in, as the software is able to clone objects and adjust them to the new background in such a way, that they get an artistic effect.’
    • ‘First off, the user has to invest a good amount of time to download the plug-ins and the software necessary to view the on-line projects.’
    • ‘No additional software or plug-ins are required.’
    • ‘An additional feature is that sites can be built in most foreign languages without additional software or plug-ins.’
    • ‘It took me a while to realise that this was referring to a plug-in you need to view the site, and not their advice to you before entering the restaurant.’

  • 2Canadian An electric socket in a car park or garage for plugging in the block heater of a vehicle to prevent the engine from freezing.

    ‘Unlike a full-electric vehicle, the hybrid's battery is self-contained and recharges while tapping the brakes, thus requiring no plug-in.’
    • ‘But plug-in hybrids do have a gasoline tank for the long trips.’