Making a connection between two devices without inserting a plug into a socket. The term is a bit misleading, because "physical contact" is very often made; for example, users are instructed to "tap" smart cards on a reader, or two smartphones are held back to back and do touch. However, the term refers to the lack of metal pins, or "contacts," which would be in a plug that presses against the metal pins in a socket. See
contactless smart card and
contactless payments.