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Glite Dictionary
wall plug

wall plug

1 2.4
An electrical socket in a wall where you connect a device to get power
  • noun
  • /wɔl plʌg/
  • UK
translation icon : enchufe
  • You can charge your phone using the wall plug located next to the bed.

Examples

  • There's four more wall plugs to be exact, Plus USBC and USBAI feel like you can tailgate out of the front trunk now entirely, although you probably have to.

  • They are small enough to carry around and plug into any wall plug.

    Academic text (2003)

  • You have to carry around a wall-plug charger, but the device charges quickly, according to most reviewers.

    Blog text (22)

  • He picked up the phone and pulled the connecting wire taut to lead him to the wall plug.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • It's all very nice, very nice, but there's a new state regulation that says all hairdryers of this capacity have to have their own independent wall plug.

    Beauty Shop (2005)

  • An extension cord protruded from the box and coiled under Howard's chair to a wall plug; undoubtedly, it was connected to a heating pad.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Make sure to connect the lamp to the wall plug for it to work.

  • I always use the wall plug in the kitchen to power my coffee maker.

Synonyms

outlet
vswall plug
  • Specialized
53 2.7

A point in a wall where you plug in electrical devices to get power

is specifically the in-wall place to get power rather than a wiring term
socket
vswall plug
24 2.8

A place in a wall where you plug devices to get power

is specifically the wall-mounted form for supplying power rather than any holder
jack
vswall plug
13 5.6

A socket where you plug a cable to connect a device

is the in-wall connection used for supplying mains electricity rather than small device links
electrical outlet
vswall plug
  • US
7 3.0

A socket in a wall where you plug in a phone charger or lamp to get power

is limited to wall installations rather than any surface
wall socket
vswall plug
  • UK
3 2.9

A place in a wall where you plug in an electrical device to get power

is the same concept without a notable difference
receptacle
vswall plug
  • Specialized
2 7.1

A socket where you plug in power cords

is the common in-wall form of this technical connector device
electric outlet
vswall plug
  • US
1 2.4

A socket in a wall that lets you plug in devices to get power

is confined to wall-only connection points rather than wider locations
power point
vswall plug
  • Australian
2.6

A wall socket where you plug devices to get electricity

is the same concept rather than a different electrical device
electric receptacle
vswall plug
  • Specialized
3.7

A socket in a wall that you plug devices into to get power

is the wall-installed version of this wiring connection rather than a general component

Surface Forms

wall plug singular
wall plugs plural

Morphology

wall + plug

The compound combines 'wall' (location) + 'plug' (electrical connector), so a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer a plug associated with a wall (i.e., an outlet/socket for powering devices). This is a straightforward noun-noun composition common cross-linguistically, so the meaning is compositional and immediately accessible despite minor regional labeling differences (outlet vs. plug).

Etymology

Wall plug comes from the simple image of a plug pushed into a wall to get electricity. That's why wall plug means the socket in the wall where you put a device 'to get power'.