1
: a drawing or diagram drawn on a plane: such as
a
: a top or horizontal view of an object
b
: a large-scale map of a small area
2
3
: an orderly arrangement of parts of an overall design or objective
4
: a detailed program (as for payment or the provision of some service)
pension plan
planned; planning
1
: to arrange the parts of : design
plan a new layout
2
: to devise or project the realization or achievement of
planned their escape
3
: to have in mind : intend
plans to leave soon
1
: to make plans
plan ahead
2
: to have a specified intention
—used with on
plans on going
Synonyms
Examples of plan in a Sentence
Noun
the army's plan of attack
We need to agree on a plan of action.
Our plan was to have the guests park on the street, not the lawn.
When we met them at the restaurant, they said there had been a change of plan.
He changed his long-distance plan.
Verb
We are busy planning the party.
The prisoners spent months planning their escape.
a teacher planning her next lesson
The students are planning a protest.
We have something very special planned for your birthday.
Their wedding is planned for June.
a planned series of books about cars
Things don't always go as planned.
Always remember to plan ahead.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Danielle Douglas-Gabriel The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2023
But experts raised concerns that the plan allows schools to use a maximum ratio of 10 students to one tutor, which is significantly higher than the maximum of 3 or 4 to 1ratio that research suggests.
—Karina Elwood, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2023
The threat of a strike at the Dana-Farber facility came a day after the renowned cancer institute announced plans with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center to build a new inpatient hospital for adult cancer care in Boston, ending its decades-long relationship with Brigham and Women’s.
—Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023
Now, that said: What’s the plan with Robby Ashford?
—Matt Cohen | McOhen@al.com, al, 16 Sep. 2023
Currently, Envoy has vehicles in over 100 apartment complexes, office buildings, and hotels across the country, with plans to expand to major cities including Austin, Portland, Denver, Boston, Chicago, and New York.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2023
The panel also removed six digital billboards from the overall plan, at the recommendation of city planning officials.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023
Now in Chicago, Foreman knows better than to make long-term plans.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
The agency still plans to impose tolls on that bridge, but has now suspended plans to toll a second span that crosses the Tualatin River.
—oregonlive, 15 Sep. 2023
Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 17 Sep. 2023
The studio is located at 8221 East Washington St.
Fall by the falls: The Chagrin Falls Merchant Association has a day of activities planned 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 in downtown Chagrin Falls.
—Joan Rusek, cleveland, 17 Sep. 2023
Dave Roberts plans to keep popping bottles until the #Dodgers win the World Series.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2023
My long weekend was filled with cultural and social activities that were planned by Out in Colombia.
—Adam Groffman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2023
Zoe plans to continue her journey in journalism in college next year.
—Zoe Toperosky, oregonlive, 16 Sep. 2023
Regardless of whether schools want to call the plans loans, the bureau considers tuition payment plans an extension of credit and colleges as lenders with the responsibility of providing clear terms of their financial products.
—Danielle Douglas-Gabriel The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2023
Although there will be new opportunities in the production of high-capacity batteries, there’s no guarantee that those factories will be unionized and they’re often being planned in states more hostile to organized labor.
—Chris Merigan, Chicago Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023
Juneau plans to conduct a survey that could guide future growth, such as building trails for tourism companies.
—Becky Bohrer, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2023
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Noun
The consumer bureau looked at the tuition payment plans of nearly 450 schools.
—Danielle Douglas-Gabriel The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2023
But experts raised concerns that the plan allows schools to use a maximum ratio of 10 students to one tutor, which is significantly higher than the maximum of 3 or 4 to 1ratio that research suggests.
—Karina Elwood, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2023
The threat of a strike at the Dana-Farber facility came a day after the renowned cancer institute announced plans with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center to build a new inpatient hospital for adult cancer care in Boston, ending its decades-long relationship with Brigham and Women’s.
—Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023
Now, that said: What’s the plan with Robby Ashford?
—Matt Cohen | McOhen@al.com, al, 16 Sep. 2023
Currently, Envoy has vehicles in over 100 apartment complexes, office buildings, and hotels across the country, with plans to expand to major cities including Austin, Portland, Denver, Boston, Chicago, and New York.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2023
The panel also removed six digital billboards from the overall plan, at the recommendation of city planning officials.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023
Now in Chicago, Foreman knows better than to make long-term plans.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
The agency still plans to impose tolls on that bridge, but has now suspended plans to toll a second span that crosses the Tualatin River.
—oregonlive, 15 Sep. 2023
Verb
If possible, try to plan your visit to the museum around these times to save money.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 17 Sep. 2023
The studio is located at 8221 East Washington St.
Fall by the falls: The Chagrin Falls Merchant Association has a day of activities planned 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 in downtown Chagrin Falls.
—Joan Rusek, cleveland, 17 Sep. 2023
Dave Roberts plans to keep popping bottles until the #Dodgers win the World Series.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2023
My long weekend was filled with cultural and social activities that were planned by Out in Colombia.
—Adam Groffman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2023
Zoe plans to continue her journey in journalism in college next year.
—Zoe Toperosky, oregonlive, 16 Sep. 2023
Regardless of whether schools want to call the plans loans, the bureau considers tuition payment plans an extension of credit and colleges as lenders with the responsibility of providing clear terms of their financial products.
—Danielle Douglas-Gabriel The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2023
Although there will be new opportunities in the production of high-capacity batteries, there’s no guarantee that those factories will be unionized and they’re often being planned in states more hostile to organized labor.
—Chris Merigan, Chicago Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023
Juneau plans to conduct a survey that could guide future growth, such as building trails for tourism companies.
—Becky Bohrer, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
French, plane, foundation, ground plan; partly from Latin planum level ground, from neuter of planus level; partly from French planter to plant, fix in place, from Late Latin plantare — more at floor, plant
Combining form
Latin planus
First Known Use
Noun
1735, in the meaning defined at sense 2c
Verb
1718, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2
Phrases Containing plan
Dictionary Entries Near plan
Cite this Entry
“Plan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plan. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
plan
1 of 2 noun1
: a drawing or diagram showing the parts or outline of something
2
: a method or scheme of acting, doing, or arranging
a civil defense plan
vacation plans
3
: goal sense 2, aim
our plan was to stop them at the bridge
plan
2 of 2 verb
planned; planning
1
: to form a plan of or for : to arrange the parts or details of ahead of time
plan a church
plan a party
2
: to have in mind : intend
3
: to make plans
planner
noun
Legal Definition
plan
noun1
: a diagram of an area of land (as a subdivision) filed in the registry of deeds see also plot plan
2
: a detailed program
especially
: one made under chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code that places future earnings under the control of a trustee, provides for the payment of creditors, and is subject to approval by the creditors
More from Merriam-Webster on plan
Nglish: Translation of plan for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of plan for Arabic Speakers
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