plank

noun \ ˈplaŋk \

|Updated on: 18 Aug 2018

Definition of plank

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

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

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

2 a : an article in the platform of a political party

b : a principal item of a policy or program

See plank defined for English-language learners

See plank defined for kids

Examples of plank in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of plank from the Web

Five years later, President Jimmy Carter endorsed the first major party platform that included a gay rights plank.

— time staff, Time, "The 25 Moments From American History That Matter Right Now," 28 June 2018
Lower your chest down toward the floor for a push-up, then return to a high plank pose.

— Philly.com, "A cardio circuit for people who hate running," 26 June 2018
Most people on the roof can hold a strong plank and have the physiques to prove it, but the class is suited to all experience levels.

— sara cagle, latimes.com, "Summer means rooftop yoga set to live violin music," 22 June 2018
For example, the tool Peyton Manning used to prolong his career and win one last championship was a four-by-four plank turned balance drill.

— graham averill, Outside Online, "The Secret to Athletic Longevity Is Surprisingly Simple," 17 May 2018
How to do the Plank Attack Start in a forearm plank with hands clasped, abs tight, and toes tucked (A).

— Health.com, "Priyanka Chopra’s ‘Plank Attack’ Move Will Tone Your Glutes and Core at Once," 17 May 2018
Buehler has been likened to Chris Dudley, the former Portland Trail Blazer who ran for governor in 2010 on a moderate plank.

— jeff manning, OregonLive.com, "Buehler beats back challenge from the right in GOP primary," 15 May 2018
Just above the fall a plank footbridge crossed the river.

— peter rock, New York Times, "On the Unsettling Allure of ‘Watership Down’," 15 May 2018
Months later Ginsburg agreed to some limited one-on-two time, at her gym (she’s seen doing a wicked plank), at the opera, at home.

— michael phillips, chicagotribune.com, "When Justice RBG became a rock star," 2 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plank.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of plank

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

plank

verb

Definition of plank

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

Examples of plank in a Sentence

planked the carton down on the counter and left

Recent Examples of plank from the Web

When Aurora native and fitness instructor George Hood got off his platform after breaking two world records for planking Thursday, he was actually relieved to feel pain from head to toe.

— jessie spangler, Aurora Beacon-News, "A fitness instructor from Aurora has set 2 world records for planking," 30 June 2018
But Straus’ presence was evident through Patrick’s speech, and debates over party rules and platform planks that tied back to the speaker.

— jasper scherer, San Antonio Express-News, "Straus’ presence felt at convention despite his absence," 16 June 2018
The other partner broad jumps over the planking partner, turns around and broad jumps back over.

— kalyn kahler, SI.com, "How to Workout Like the New England Patriots Cheerleaders," 19 Jan. 2018
While only bits of the hull, keel and planking remain, researchers uncovered ceramics from Cyprus, Syria and southern Italy, as well as iron nails and ship artifacts like anchors.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Crusader Shipwreck, Likely From the Siege of Acre, Discovered," 21 Mar. 2017
Just look in the living room with Old English wood planked floors.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "Suave Sundeleaf-designed estate listed at $2.15 million (photos)," 15 Oct. 2017
The wrong logo was printed on a huge banner that was hung prominently above Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua, who was sitting on a red carpet and planked by Lorenzana and the Philippine military chief of staff.

— Washington Post, "Philippines apologizes to China over wrong Taiwan logo," 9 Oct. 2017
The six floors—many wood planked like a ship’s deck—are chockablock with well-upholstered conference rooms and pullout spaces.

— WSJ, "Campus of the Future," 16 Sep. 2017
Baby B kicked incessantly, rolled and curled himself into tight balls, pressed his feet into my ribcage and planked across the arc of my uterus.

— tanika davis, baltimoresun.com, "Navigating the deep end of tricky twin milestones," 24 Aug. 2017

First Known Use of plank

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

plank Synonyms

Synonyms

flop, flump, plop, plump, plunk (or plonk);

Related Words

fling, heave, sling, toss;

ensconce, install, plant, settle;

PLANK Defined for English Language Learners

plank

noun

Definition of plank for English Language Learners

: a long, thick board that is used especially in building something
: one of the official beliefs and goals of an organization (such as a political party)