# PLC

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/plc
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. a type of large company

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Formal

Stands for Public Limited Company. You see this after the name of a large British company that sells shares to the public.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Public Limited Company. A specific legal designation for a UK-based company that has offered shares to the general public and has a minimum share capital.

- After the business grew, it became a PLC and was listed on the stock exchange.
- The transition from a private firm to a PLC requires rigorous financial auditing and compliance with strict regulatory standards.

Usage: Usually written in capital letters after the company name, often without periods.

### 2. industrial computer

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

Stands for Programmable Logic Controller. It is a rugged computer used in factories to control machines and assembly lines.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Programmable Logic Controller. A digital computer used for automation of typically industrial electromechanical processes.

- The engineer updated the PLC software to make the factory robots move faster.
- Modern manufacturing plants rely on a network of PLCs to coordinate complex assembly tasks with millisecond precision.

Usage: Countable noun; often used in the context of manufacturing, robotics, and electrical engineering.

### 3. internet data technology

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

Stands for Power Line Communication. It is a way to send internet data through the electrical wires in a building.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Power Line Communication. A communication method that uses electrical wiring to carry both data and alternating current electric power.

- We used a PLC adapter to get an internet connection in the basement without running new cables.
- PLC technology provides a cost-effective networking solution for smart grid applications where dedicated data cabling is impractical.

## Examples

- The small family business eventually grew into a major PLC.
- After the successful initial public offering, the firm changed its legal status from a private company to a PLC.
- Investors often prefer the transparency requirements of a PLC, as these entities must publish detailed annual reports and adhere to stricter regulatory oversight than private limited companies.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.