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Glite Dictionary
wall socket

wall socket

3 2.9
A place in a wall where you plug in an electrical device to get power
  • noun
  • /wɔl ˈsɑkɪt/
  • UK
translation icon : enchufe
  • I plugged the recharger into the wall socket beside the bed.
  • plug into a wall socket
  • charge at a wall socket
  • find a wall socket

And the best way to do it is to terminate it onto wall sockets.

Examples

  • I put the plug into the wall socket, it hums, and we sit down to supper.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • "Pull it out of the wall socket!"

    Fiction book (2001)

  • And you also have a wall socket right here on the side guys.

  • You check the wall sockets.

    A Scanner Darkly (2006)

  • Jim pulls an electrical cord out of a wall socket.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • After plugging the cable into the wall socket, he laid the instrument on the table alongside the hood.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • The difference is that the PHEV works like an EV and plugs into a wall socket to charge the batteries.

    Academic text (2009)

  • I decided to purchase a watt/amp meter that plugs directly into the wall socket and allows the device being used to plug into it.

    Blog text (20)

  • Something as seemingly innocuous as an overloaded wall socket could ultimately lead to a fire, threatening lives, livelihoods, and the future of a business.

    Blog text (4)

  • George took one look at the pathetic tree, went over to the wall socket, and plugged in the lights.

Synonyms

outlet
vswall socket
  • Specialized
53 2.7

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

is specifically the device installed in a wall, not any wiring connection
socket
vswall socket
24 2.8

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

is focused on the wall-installed device rather than any component holder
jack
vswall socket
13 5.6

A socket where you plug a cable to connect a device

is the wall-mounted power device, not the small electronic connector
electrical outlet
vswall socket
  • US
7 3.0

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

is limited to devices set only into walls rather than other surfaces
receptacle
vswall socket
  • Specialized
2 7.1

A socket where you plug in power cords

is the common wall-mounted device used to connect appliances to power
wall plug
vswall socket
  • UK
1 2.4

An electrical socket in a wall where you connect a device to get power

is the specific device set into the wall forming the actual connection
electric outlet
vswall socket
  • US
1 2.4

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

is the wall-fixed device that provides that same power connection
power point
vswall socket
  • Australian
2.6

A wall socket where you plug devices to get electricity

is about the device installed in the wall rather than the connection point
electric receptacle
vswall socket
  • Specialized
3.7

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

is the more everyday, wall-installed device rather than the technical wiring point

Surface Forms

wall socket singular
wall sockets plural

Morphology

wall + socket

The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'wall' (vertical surface) and 'socket' (outlet for plugs): it denotes a socket located in a wall. This is a concrete, compositional noun–noun compound common cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

Wall socket comes from a simple image: a socket is a small hole or box that holds a 'plug' and is fixed into a wall. Because the plug fits into that socket to get 'electricity' or 'power', wall socket means the place on the wall where you connect an appliance.