Phrase guide

plug in

verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To connect (an electrical device) to a plug socket.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: unplug

2

verb

Meaning 2

To familiarize and integrate (a person) into an organization.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To replace a variable with a number in order to solve an equation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Topics: mathematics, sciences

Examples

  • If an equation has three unknowns, you can plug in two of them to find the third.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: substitute

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To input or enter (data).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To become involved in something.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

plug into an outlet

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Please plug in the toaster!
  • Connect the TV so we can watch the football game tonight

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: plug into, connect

Antonyms: unplug

Broader terms: insert, infix, enter, introduce

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

24 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Azerbaijani: toka qoşmaq — connect an electrical device
  • Catalan: endollar — connect an electrical device
  • Chinese Mandarin: 接上 (jiēshàng) — connect an electrical device
  • Chinese Mandarin: 插上 (chāshang) — connect an electrical device
  • Chinese Mandarin: 插入 (chārù) — connect an electrical device
  • Danish: tilslutte — connect an electrical device
  • Finnish: laittaa töpseli seinään — connect an electrical device
  • French: brancher — connect an electrical device
  • German: einstecken — connect an electrical device
  • Greek: βάζω σε (vázo se) — connect an electrical device
  • Italian: attaccare alla presa — connect an electrical device
  • Khmer: ដោតចូល (daotcoul) — connect an electrical device
  • Māori: mono mai — connect an electrical device
  • Norman: pliodgi — connect an electrical device
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: plugga — connect an electrical device
  • Polish: podłączać — connect an electrical device
  • Polish: podłączyć — connect an electrical device
  • Portuguese: plugar — connect an electrical device
  • Romanian: băga în priză — connect an electrical device
  • Russian: подключа́ть (podključátʹ) — connect an electrical device
  • Russian: подключи́ть (podključítʹ) — connect an electrical device
  • Spanish: enchufar — connect an electrical device
  • Turkish: prize takmak — connect an electrical device
  • Turkish: fişe takmak — connect an electrical device