WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
plug /plʌg/USA pronunciation   n., v., plugged, plug•ging. 
n. [countable]
  1. a piece of wood or other material used to stop up or block a hole or opening, as in a pipe, etc.:He put plugs in his ears to keep out the noise.
  2. Electricityan attachment at the end of an electrical cord, inserted into a socket for electric power.
  3. Automotivespark plug (def. 1).
  4. a fireplug;
    hydrant.
  5. Informal Termsthe favorable mention of a product, etc., as in a television interview;
    advertisement:put in a plug for her new book.

v. 
  1. to (cause to) be stopped (up) or filled with or as if with a plug: [no object]Her ears plugged up when she flew in airplanes.[~ + up + object]The high altitude plugged up her ears.[~ + object + up]Something was plugging her sinuses up.[~ + object]to plug a leak.
  2. to insert a plug into:[~ + object]Plug the computer into that outlet over there.
  3. Informal Terms to mention (a product) favorably, as in a television interview:[~ + object]kept plugging his new book instead of answering the questions.
  4. Slang Terms[~ + object]to shoot with a bullet.
  5. to work with persistence on something:[no object* ~ (+ away/along)]She plugged away at a novel for years.
  6. plug in:
    • Electricityto connect to an electrical power source: [~ + in + object]First, plug in the monitor and turn it on.[~ + object + in]It won't go on if you haven't plugged it in.
Idioms
  1. pull the plug,[Informal.]
    • Idioms[~ + on] to bring to an end:Congress pulled the plug on that plan.
    • Idioms[no object] to disconnect life-supporting equipment from (a patient who has no chance of recovering from illness):Pull the plug if the other choice is spending years in a coma.


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
pull /pʊl/USA pronunciation   v. 
  1. to draw or haul toward oneself or itself, in a particular direction, or into a particular position: [~ + object]He pulled the sled up the hill.[no object]He pulled at the sled.
  2. to tear:[~ + object]to pull a cloth to pieces.
  3. to draw or pluck away from a place of growth, attachment, etc.:[~ + object]The dentist pulled four of her teeth.
  4. to draw out (a weapon) for ready use:[~ + object]Suddenly they pulled a gun on me.
  5. Informal Terms to perform;
    carry out:[~ + object]They pulled a spectacular coup.
  6. to withdraw;
    remove:[~ + object]The manager pulled the pitcher from the game.
  7. to attract;
    win:[~ (+ in) + object]to pull votes.
  8. Pathology[~ + object] to strain (a muscle, ligament, or tendon).
  9. Military to be assigned:[~ + object]pulled guard duty.
  10. Sport(of a baseball) to (cause to) be hit so that it follows the direction in which the bat is being swung: [~ + object]He pulled the ball to left field.[no object]The ball pulled foul.
  11. to move or go:[no object]The train pulled away from the station.
  12. pull apart, to analyze or examine carefully and critically, esp. for errors: [~ + apart + object]pulling apart the committee's report.[~ + object + apart]pulling the report apart.
  13. pull away, [no object]
    • to move;
      withdraw:The car pulled away in a cloud of dust.
    • to free oneself with force:The spaceship tried to pull away from the earth's gravity.
    • to start to move ahead, as if by separating from another or others.
  14. pull back, to (cause to) leave a position in retreat: [~ + back + object]The general pulled back his troops.[~ + object + back]He pulled them back.[no object]The troops started to pull back.
  15. pull down:
    • Informal Terms[~ + down + object]to receive as a salary;
      earn:He is pulling down more than fifty thousand a year.
  16. pull for, [~ + for + object] to support actively;
    encourage:They were pulling for the Republican candidate.
  17. pull in:
    • [no object] to arrive:The train just pulled in.
    • to tighten;
      curb: [~ + in + object]to pull in the reins.[~ + object + in]to pull them in.
    • Informal Termsto arrest (someone): [~ + object + in]The police pulled me in for speeding.[~ + in + object]The police pulled in scores of protesters.
  18. pull off, [Informal.]to perform successfully, esp. something difficult: [~ + off + object]His political team pulled off a landslide victory.[~ + object + off]I don't know how you pulled it off, but you got the job!
  19. pull out, [no object]
    • to depart:The train pulled out about three hours late.
    • to abandon abruptly:to pull out of an agreement.
  20. pull over, to direct one's automobile or other vehicle to the curb: [no object]The police officer told me to pull over.[~ + object + over]told me to pull the car over.
  21. pull through:
    • to (cause to) come safely through (a crisis, illness, etc.): [no object]If we stay together, we'll pull through OK.[~ + through + object]If we stay together, we'll pull through this crisis.
  22. pull up:
    • to bring or come to a halt, or to a slower pace: [no object]The runner pulled up lame after only two miles.[~ + object + up]He pulled the car up in front of the house.
    • [no object] to bring or draw closer:For a few laps she pulled up to me.
    • to root up;
      remove by the roots: [~ + up + object]He pulled up a weed.[~ + object + up]He pulled it up.

n. 
  1. the act of pulling or drawing:[countable]signaled them with two pulls on the rope.
  2. force used in pulling;
    pulling power:[uncountable]Is there any pull on this line?
  3. [countable] a part or thing to be pulled, as a handle on a drawer.
  4. Pathology, a pulled muscle:[countable]a thigh pull.
  5. Informal Terms influence, as with persons able to grant favors:[uncountable]has a lot of pull at city hall.
  6. Informal Terms the ability to attract;
    drawing power:[uncountable]The star has a lot of pull at the box office.
Idioms
  1. Idioms pull oneself together, to gain control of one's emotions.
  2. Idioms pull strings or wires, to use influence, as with powerful friends or coworkers, so as to gain one's objectives.

pull•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
plug  (plug),USA pronunciation n., v., plugged, plug•ging. 
n. 
  1. a piece of wood or other material used to stop up a hole or aperture, to fill a gap, or to act as a wedge.
  2. a core or interior segment taken from a larger matrix.
  3. Electricitya device to which may be attached the conductors of a cord and which by insertion in a jack, or screwing into a receptacle, establishes contact.
  4. AutomotiveSee spark plug (def. 1).
  5. a fireplug or hydrant.
  6. a cake of pressed tobacco.
  7. a piece of tobacco cut off for chewing.
  8. Informal Termsthe favorable mention of something, as in a lecture, radio show, etc.;
    advertisement;
    recommendation:The actress was happy to give her new show a plug.
  9. Sport[Angling.]an artificial lure made of wood, plastic, or metal, and fitted with one or more gang hooks, used chiefly in casting.
  10. Geologyneck (def. 14).
  11. [Slang.]a worn-out or inferior horse.
  12. Informal Termsa shopworn or unsalable article.
  13. Botanya small piece of sod used esp. for seeding a lawn.
  14. Surgerya patch of scalp with viable hair follicles that is used as a graft for a bald part of the head. Cf. hair transplant. 
  15. Slang Termspunch1 (def. 1).
  16. Metallurgy
    • a mandrel on which tubes are formed.
    • a punch on which a cup is drawn.
    • a protrusion on a forging die for forming a recess in the work.
    • a false bottom on a die.
  17. BuildingAlso called dook. a small piece of wood inserted into masonry as a hold for a nail.
  18. Building[Masonry.]See under plug and feathers. 
  19. ClothingAlso called plug hat. a man's tall silk hat.
  20. pull the plug on, [Informal.]
    • Idiomsto discontinue or terminate:The government has threatened to pull the plug on further subsidies.
    • Idiomsto disconnect life-sustaining equipment from (a moribund patient).

v.t. 
  1. to stop or fill with or as if with a plug (often fol. by up):to plug up a leak; plug a gap.
  2. to insert or drive a plug into.
  3. to secure with or as if with a plug.
  4. to insert (something) as a plug.
  5. to remove a core or a small plug-shaped piece from.
  6. to remove the center of (a coin) and replace it with a baser metal:a plugged nickel.
  7. Informal Termsto mention (something) favorably, as in a lecture, radio show, etc.:He says he will appear if he can plug his new TV series.
  8. Slang Termsto punch with the fist.
  9. Slang Termsto shoot or strike with a bullet.

v.i. 
  1. to work with stubborn persistence (often fol. by along or away):You're doing a fine job—just keep plugging. Some writers will plug away at the same novel for several years.
  2. Informal Termsto publicize insistently:Whenever he gets the chance, he's plugging for his company.
  3. Slang Termsto shoot or fire shots.
  4. Electricity plug in:
    • to connect to an electrical power source:Plug the TV set in over there.
    • [Informal.]to add or include;
      incorporate:They still have to plug in more research data.
  5. Electricity plug into:
    • to connect or become connected by or as if by means of a plug:The device will plug into any convenient wall outlet. The proposed new departments would eventually plug into the overall organizational plan.
    • Informal Termsto feel an affinity for;
      like;
      understand:Some kids just don't plug into sports in school.
  6. plug up, to become plugged:The drain in the sink plugs up every so often.
  • Dutch; cognate with German Pflock
  • 1620–30
plug′ga•ble, adj. 
plug′ging•ly, adv. 
plug′less, adj. 
plug′like′, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
pull  (pŏŏl),USA pronunciation v.t. 
  1. to draw or haul toward oneself or itself, in a particular direction, or into a particular position:to pull a sled up a hill.
  2. to draw or tug at with force.
  3. to rend or tear:to pull a cloth to pieces.
  4. to draw or pluck away from a place of growth, attachment, etc.:to pull a tooth; to pull weeds.
  5. to strip of feathers, hair, etc., as a bird or hide.
  6. to draw out (as a knife or gun) for ready use (usually fol. by on):Do you know what to do when someone pulls a knife on you?
  7. Informal Termsto perform successfully (often fol. by off):They pulled a spectacular coup.
  8. Informal Termsto carry out (esp. something deceitful or illegal):Police believe the men pulled all three robberies. What kind of trick did she pull this time?
  9. to put on or affect:He pulled a long face when I reprimanded him.
  10. to withdraw or remove:to pull an ineffective pitcher.
  11. to attract or win:to pull many votes in the industrial areas.
  12. to bring (a horse) to a stand by pulling on the reins.
  13. Printing, Fine Artto take (an impression or proof ) from type, a cut or plate, etc.:to pull a print.
  14. Nautical, Naval Termsto be provided with or rowed with (a certain number of oars):This boat pulls 12 oars.
  15. Nautical, Naval Termsto propel by rowing, as a boat.
  16. Pathologyto strain (a muscle, ligament, or tendon).
  17. Militaryto be assigned (a specific task or duty):I pulled guard duty our first night in port.
  18. to hold in or check (a racehorse), esp. so as to prevent from winning.
  19. Sportto hit (a ball) so that it travels in a direction opposite to the side from which it was struck, as when a right-handed batter hits into left field.

v.i. 
  1. to exert a drawing, tugging, or hauling force (often fol. by at).
  2. to inhale through a pipe, cigarette, etc.
  3. to become or come as specified, by being pulled:This rope will pull.
  4. Nautical, Naval Termsto row.
  5. Nautical, Naval Termsto proceed by rowing.
  6. (of an advertisement)
    • to have effectiveness, as specified:The ad pulled badly.
    • to be effective:That spot announcement really pulled!
  7. Idioms pull apart, to analyze critically, esp. to point out errors:The professor proceeded to pull the student's paper apart.
  8. pull away:
    • to move or draw back or away;
      withdraw.
    • to free oneself with force:He tried to pull away from his opponent's powerful grip.
    • to move or start to move ahead:The car pulled away into traffic.The faster runners began to pull away from the others.
  9. pull down:
    • to draw downward:to pull a shade down.
    • to demolish;
      wreck.
    • to lower;
      reduce.
    • Informal Termsto receive as a salary;
      earn:It wasn't long before he was pulling down more than fifty thousand a year.
  10. pull for, to support actively;
    encourage:They were pulling for the Republican candidate.
  11. pull in:
    • to reach a place;
      arrive:The train pulled in early.
    • to tighten;
      curb:to pull in the reins.
    • Informal Termsto arrest (someone):The police pulled her in for questioning.
  12. pull off, [Informal.]to perform successfully, esp. something requiring courage, daring, or shrewdness:We'll be rich if we can pull the deal off.
  13. Idioms pull oneself together, to recover one's self-control;
    regain command of one's emotions:It was only a minor accident, but the driver couldn't seem to pull himself together.
  14. pull out:
    • to leave;
      depart:The ship pulled out of the harbor.
    • to abandon abruptly:to pull out of an agreement.
  15. pull over, to direct one's automobile or other vehicle to the curb;
    move out of a line of traffic:The police officer told the driver to pull over.
  16. Idioms pull someone's leg, See leg (def. 21).
  17. Idioms pull the plug. See plug (def. 20).
  18. pull through, to come safely through (a crisis, illness, etc.);
    survive:The patient eventually pulled through after having had a close brush with death.
  19. pull up:
    • to bring or come to a halt.
    • to bring or draw closer.
    • to root up;
      pull out:She pulled up all the crab grass in the lawn.

n. 
  1. the act of pulling or drawing.
  2. force used in pulling;
    pulling power.
  3. a drawing in of smoke or a liquid through the mouth:He took a long, thoughtful pull on his pipe; I took a pull from the scout's canteen.
  4. Informal Termsinfluence, as with persons able to grant favors.
  5. a part or thing to be pulled;
    a handle or the like:to replace the pulls on a chest of drawers.
  6. Nautical, Naval Termsa spell, or turn, at rowing.
  7. Nautical, Naval Termsa stroke of an oar.
  8. [Informal.]a pulled muscle:He missed a week's work with a groin pull.
  9. a pulling of the ball, as in baseball or golf.
  10. Informal Termsthe ability to attract;
    drawing power.
  11. Informal Termsan advantage over another or others.
  • bef. 1000; Middle English pullen (verb, verbal), Old English pullian to pluck, pluck the feathers of, pull, tug; compare Middle Low German pūlen to strip off husks, pick, Old Norse pūla to work hard
pull′a•ble, adj. 
pull′er, n. 
    2. See draw. 
    2. push.
'pull the plug' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
plug - pull

🗣️Forum discussions with the word(s) "pull the plug" in the title:


Look up "pull the plug" at Merriam-Webster
Look up "pull the plug" at dictionary.com
  • Go to Preferences page and choose from different actions for taps or mouse clicks.

In other languages: Spanish | French | Italian | Portuguese | Romanian | German | Dutch | Swedish | Russian | Polish | Czech | Greek | Turkish | Chinese | Japanese | Korean | Arabic

Advertisements
Advertisements
Report an inappropriate ad.
WordReference.com
WORD OF THE DAY
GET THE DAILY EMAIL!

Become a WordReference Supporter to view the site ad-free.