plug-in

[pluhg-in] /ˈplʌgˌɪn/
adjective
1.
capable of or designed for being connected to an electrical power source by plugging in or inserting:
a plug-in hair dryer; a plug-in transistor.
noun
2.
plug (def 3).
3.
jack1 (def 3).
4.
a plug-in appliance.
Origin
1920-25; adj., noun use of verb phrase plug in
Examples from the web for plug-in
  • The potential of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles to curb petroleum use has grabbed a lot of attention lately.
British Dictionary definitions for plug-in

plug in

verb
1.
(transitive, adverb) to connect (an electrical appliance) with a power source by means of an electrical plug
noun
2.
a device that can be connected by means of a plug
3.
(computing) a module or piece of software that can be added to a system to provide extra functions or features, esp software that enhances the capabilities of a web browser
4.
(computing) (as modifier): plug-in memory cards
Word Origin and History for plug-in
adj.

1922, from plug (v.) + in (adv.).

plug-in in Science
plug-in
  (plŭg'ĭn')   
An accessory software or hardware package that is used in conjunction with an existing application or device to extend its capabilities or provide additional functions.
plug-in in Technology
tool
A file containing data used to alter, enhance, or extend the operation of a parent application program. One of the first uses of this term was in Silicon Beach's SuperPaint application (late 1980s?) for the Macintosh. It had a Plug-ins folder containing different tools and effects.
The Netscape Navigator World-Wide Web browser supports plug-ins which display or interpret a particular file format or protocol such as Shockwave, RealAudio, Adobe Systems, Inc. PDF, Corel CMX (vector graphics). The file to be displayed is included in a web page using an EMBED HTML tag.
Plug-ins, both commercially and indepently authored, can usually be downloaded for free and are stored locally. Plug-ins come in different versions specific to particular operating systems (Microsoft Windows 3.1, 3.2, and Macintosh are available).
Compare applet.
Plug-in Plaza (https://browserwatch.com/plug-in.html).
PC Mag Plug-ins (https://zdnet.com/pcmag/IU/plugins/plugins.htm).
(1996-05-25)