plank

1 of 2

noun

ˈplaŋk 

1

a

: a heavy thick board

especially : one 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) thick and at least 8 inches (20 centimeters) wide

b

: an object made of a plank or planking

c

: planking

d

: an exercise in which a prone person balances on the toes and forearms while holding the rest of the body up and off the ground

Start with basic moves like sit-ups, planks, and lunges …

—O, The Oprah Magazine

Do two to three sets of these moves two days a week: push-ups (work up to 25) to build chest, shoulder and triceps strength; plank (support your body on your forearms and toes for up to 60 seconds) to build ab and back strength …

—Selene Yeager

2

a

: an article in the platform of a political party

b

: a principal item of a policy or program

plank

2 of 2

verb

planked; planking; planks

transitive verb

1

: to cover, build, or floor with planks

2

: to set down forcefully

—usually used with down

3

: to cook and serve on a board

planked salmon

planked steak

Synonyms of plank

Verb

• plop
• toss

Examples of plank in a Sentence

Noun

Before the convention, there was debate over the foreign policy and economic planks.

Verb

planked the carton down on the counter and left

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Mahmood said the suspect was not known to security services, counter-terror police or the Home Office’s Prevent program, a central plank of Britain’s strategy to combat terrorism. —Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025

Renegade Row By mixing a stabilizing plank with upper body movement, this exercise tests your back and core strength (your shoulders and arms will also feel it). —Leoni Jesner, Health, 1 Nov. 2025

Verb

The Army Fitness Test is a five-event assessment, which includes three-repetition maximum deadlift, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, planking and a two-mile run. —Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 30 Sep. 2025

To challenge the claim, the research team began testing individual planking panels commonly used in timber-frame construction. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French plaunke, planche, from Latin planca

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing plank

• walk the plank

Rhymes for plank

• banc
• bank
• blank
• clank
• crank
• dank
• drank
• flank
• franc
• hank
• lank
• prank

Kids Definition

plank

1 of 2 noun

ˈplaŋk 

1

: a wide heavy thick board

2

: an item in the list of beliefs and goals of a political party

plank

2 of 2 verb

1

: to cover or floor with planks

2

: to set down forcefully

planked the book on the table

3

: to cook and serve on a board

planked steak