noun

plugin

PLUG-in

Plugin (noun) means a separate piece of software that adds a feature to an existing program without changing the program itself, and which can be installed or removed independently. Example: “There is a plugin that adds a booking calendar to the site.”

noun

neutral A separate piece of software that adds a feature to an existing program without changing the program itself, and which can be installed or removed independently.

"There is a plugin that adds a booking calendar to the site."

"We disabled every plugin one at a time to find what was slowing the page down."

adjective

technical Designed to be added to a larger system in this way.

"The editor has a plug-in architecture, so anyone can extend it."

How to Use Plugin

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn optional extra you install to give a program a new feature.

When to use it

Written plugin or plug-in; both are accepted, and plug-in is more usual in edited prose.

Memory tip

A plugin adds behaviour; a theme changes appearance. On many platforms they are installed the same way but do different jobs.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

extension → module → library → theme →

Common pairings

install a plugin WordPress plugin browser plugin plugin conflict third-party plugin

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Test yourself on “plugin” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

There is a _____ that adds a booking calendar to the site.

Etymology

From the phrasal verb plug in, on the image of plugging an extra part into a socket.

Origin: English

Synonyms

View more →

add-on extension module addon modular extensible pluggable

Antonyms

core built-in feature

Related Words

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a plugin and an extension?

In practice they mean much the same thing: an optional add-on. Browsers now mostly use extension, while content systems such as WordPress use plugin. Historically browser plug-ins were separate programs that handled particular file types, which is no longer how browsers work.

What is the difference between a plugin and a library?

A plugin is installed into a finished program by its user or administrator and works within the rules that program sets. A library is code a developer includes while building software, before it is finished.

Why can plugins break a website?

Plugins are written by different people and each can change how the site behaves. Two plugins altering the same thing, or one written for an older version of the host software, can conflict and cause errors.

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