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plug

n. · v.
US //ˈpɫəɡ// UK //plˈʌɡ// plug
  1. 1 electrical connector (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the plastic part at the end of a wire that you push into a wall to get electricity.

    a pronged device attached to an electrical cord that fits into a socket to establish a circuit.

    Example

    The lamp won't turn on because the plug is loose in the wall.

    Example

    Most modern appliances are fitted with a moulded plug that cannot be easily opened for repair without specialized tools.
  2. 2 a stopper (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    an object used to block a hole, like the one in a bathtub or sink.

    a piece of material used to stop or fill a hole or cavity.

    Example

    Pull the plug out of the bath so the water can drain away.

    Example

    The plumber inserted a rubber plug into the pipe to prevent any further leakage while he replaced the main valve.
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  1. 3 promotion (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a mention of a product or book to help sell it, often during an interview.

    a piece of publicity or a favourable mention of a product, service, or event.

    Example

    The actor gave a quick plug for his new movie at the end of the show.

    Example

    The author managed to weave a subtle plug for her upcoming memoir into the final minutes of the radio interview.
  2. 4 drug dealer (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang

    a person who sells illegal drugs.

    a supplier of illicit substances.

    Example

    He was looking for a new plug after his old one moved away.

    Example

    The investigation focused on identifying the primary plug responsible for distributing the narcotics throughout the suburban district.
  3. 5 to block a hole (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to fill a hole so that nothing can get through.

    to stop or close a hole or gap by inserting a plug.

    Example

    You can use some mud to plug the small holes in the wall.

    Example

    The engineers worked through the night to plug the breach in the dam before the rising river levels caused a total collapse.
  4. 6 to promote (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to talk about something in public to help it become popular or sell.

    to promote a product or service, often through repeated mentions in media.

    Example

    She went on the talk show to plug her latest book.

    Example

    The celebrity was criticized for using his social media platform to plug expensive supplements without disclosing his financial interest in the company.
  5. 7 to work hard (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to keep working hard at something that is difficult or boring.

    to persist or continue steadily with a task; usually used with 'away'.

    Example

    If you keep plugging away at your piano practice, you will improve.

    Example

    Despite the lack of immediate results, the research team continued to plug away at the data until they finally identified a pattern.

    Usage

    Usually takes the particle 'away' followed by 'at'.
Origin

From Dutch plug, from Middle Dutch plugge (“peg, plug”), from Old Dutch pluggi, from Proto-West Germanic plugi. Further origin unknown. Possibly from Proto-Germanic *plugjaz, but the word seems originally restricted to northern continental West Germanic. Perhaps ultimately from the same source as Dutch plag (“cut-out sod”), itself considered to be from a substrate. Compare German Low German Plüg, Norwegian plug (“peg, wedge”, probably borrowed from Middle Low German), German Pflock (“peg”, restricted to Central German and phonetically divergent). Possibly akin to Lithuanian plúkti (“to strike, hew”).

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