French word

prise

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁiz/

Meaning

  • feminine nounoutlet

Example

J'ai branché le chargeur dans la prise.

I plugged the charger into the outlet.

Illustration for prise (outlet)

More examples

Il n'y a plus de prise libre dans cette pièce.

There are no more free power outlets in this room.

Core concept

A firm hold or point of contact, from a hand gripping something to a socket holding a plug.

Common phrases

  • prise de courant

    power outlet

  • prise électrique

    electrical outlet

Similar words

prise de courant: An electrical outlet connected to a building or device wiring.
fiche: The plug at the end of a cable that carries electricity.
adaptateur: A small device that changes a plug shape to fit another socket.
multiprise: A power strip that connects several devices to one outlet.

Definition in French

Action de saisir ou résultat de cette action (ce qu'on tient ou ce qu'on a pris) ; sens courant dérivé : point où l'on branche un appareil électrique.

Word origin

French prise comes from the feminine noun formed from prendre, 'to take or seize', which descends through Old French from Latin prehendere, 'to grasp'.

Usage tips

  • Prise is feminine, so the ordinary article is une prise; in an electrical context, une prise or une prise de courant means a socket or outlet, not a plug.

Other meanings

  • gripnoun
  • dosenoun

Related words

Word lists with this word