plank

noun

\ ˈplaŋk

Definition of plank

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

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

b : a principal item of a policy or program

plank

verb

planked; planking; planks

Definition of plank (Entry 2 of 2)

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 More Example Sentences Learn More about plank

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Synonyms for plank

Synonyms: Verb

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

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

Azar proposed the rule in January as a central plank of the administration's effort to lower drug prices, and had proposed implementing the change next year. — Yasmeen Abutaleb, Anchorage Daily News, "White House kills key drug pricing rule to eliminate hidden rebates," 11 July 2019 Republicans are seemingly aware that this isn’t a good look for them, as the Democrats have made protecting Americans’ health coverage a central plank in their platform, and used it to rout the GOP in 2018 House races. — Michael Hiltzik, latimes.com, "Trump’s assault on Obamacare was much more damaging than previously thought," 18 June 2019 Some planks of the O’Rourke plan would require massive voter mobilization in their own right. — Garrett Haake, NBC News, "O'Rourke unveils voting rights reforms aiming for 35 million new voters by 2024," 5 June 2019 Park’s successor, Moon Jae-in, made chaebol reform a central plank of his election campaign. — Heejin Kim, Bloomberg.com, "Paul Singer Unnerves Korea’s Billionaires Whether He Wins or Loses," 21 Mar. 2019 Then plan to spend the rest of the year in plank position. — Liz Biro, Indianapolis Star, "Hash brown grilled cheese! Here are 22 new foods at the 2019 Indiana State Fair," 5 Aug. 2018 For example, there’s four varieties of cedar plank salmon for $18 and includes two side choices for $18. — Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Plum Market opens downtown Detroit store on Wednesday," 2 July 2019 The family room has custom two-tone black and cherrywood plank flooring, fireplace with tile surround and recessed lighting. — Bang Staff And Correspondents, The Mercury News, "Sponsored: Island lifestyle in Alameda is a dream come true," 2 July 2019 These incredible trees, each its own mini biodiversity hotspot hosting up to 1,000 insect, fungi and other plant species, can be reduced to planks in a sawmill in a few minutes. — Unding Jami, National Geographic, "The world's tallest known tropical tree has been found—and climbed," 3 Apr. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Records also noted that the schooner was built of southern yellow pine planking over white oak frames and was outfitted with a 13-foot-long centerboard that could be raised or lowered as needed to access shallow harbors. — National Geographic, "Last American slave ship is discovered in Alabama," 22 May 2019 The other half, after the first few strokes, simply gave up and planked, sinking to the bottom. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Geckos’ new superpower is running on water; now we know how they do it," 6 Dec. 2018 Sip vintages in the cavernous cedar-planked warehouse of The Austin Winery. — Condé Nast Traveler, "15 Best Things To Do in Austin," 4 Mar. 2018 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

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.