Entry Word: scheme

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end <a scheme to fool people into volunteering for the cleanup of the park> — see trick 1
2 a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends <a scheme to kidnap the President's daughter> — see plot 1
3 a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective <a scheme to upgrade the cityʼs mass transit system> — see plan 1