drop-in

See also: dropin and drop in

English

drop-in (not comparable)

Provided for short-term use.
(manufacturing) Fit to substitute for some element in a complex system without changes to the existing infrastructure.
We need the ultimate drop-in biofuel to make use of our expensive oil-based infrastructure.
- 2012, Robert Mendelsohn, Ariel Dinar, Handbook on Climate Change and Agriculture, page 276:
  An alternative to cellulosic based second- generation biofuels are drop-in biofuels, that is, fuels such as synthetic gasoline that can be put into fuel tanks and pipelines with no modifications.
(of a place or facility) Allowing people to drop in; that is, to visit casually, without an appointment.
a drop-in centre
(cricket) Of the pitch: prepared away from the ground or venue, and dropped into place only when a match is to be played.
The pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is drop-in, and the ground is also used for Australian rules football.

drop-in (plural drop-ins)

One who casually drops in (visits unannounced or without appointment).
Synonym: walk-in

The office was efficient, but not well equipped to handle drop-ins.
An informal event that does not require booking in advance.
Synonym: walk-in
A place that can be visited casually, without an appointment.
Synonym: walk-in
(surfing) The act of dropping in; that is, taking a wave that another surfer is already riding.
- 2004, Bill Mattos, Kayak Surfing, page 37:
  Drop-ins can and often do happen accidentally. Sometimes you're so focussed on your take-off that you just don't see the other rider.
(cricket) A pitch that is prepared away from the ground or venue, and dropped into place only when a match is to be played.