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 Phrases Containing plank Learn More About plank

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 In the next room stood two chairs, an empty jug and a wooden plank. — Time, 14 Apr. 2022 Another documents his jackknifed body pinned high against a wall by a diagonal wooden plank. — Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2022 Punishment: In the Economist/YouGov poll, 31% said the 5-year sentence for a man who used a wooden plank and a fire extinguisher to attack police was too short, 35% about right, and 15% too long. — Karlyn Bowman, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2022 So far, the toughest punishment has been for a Largo man sentenced to more than five years in federal prison for attacking police with a fire extinguisher and wooden plank, Lewis said. — Monivette Cordeiro, orlandosentinel.com, 3 Jan. 2022 Prosecutors said Palmer broke into the Capitol building and, while inside, threw a wooden plank at police officers. — Arkansas Online, 2 Jan. 2022 Robert Palmer, who used a fire extinguisher, a wooden plank and a pole to attack police, was sentenced to more than five years in prison. — Holmes Lybrand And Hannah Rabinowitz, CNN, 24 Dec. 2021 But Palmer made his way to the front line during the chaos and started to attack, throwing a wooden plank, spraying a fire extinguisher, then hurling it when it was done. — Colleen Long, chicagotribune.com, 17 Dec. 2021 But Palmer made his way to the front line during the chaos and started to attack, throwing a wooden plank, spraying a fire extinguisher, then hurling it when it was done. — Colleen Long, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Dec. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Tighten your abs and shift to plank position, then shift your right foot to alongside your right hand. — Eric Leija, Men's Health, 6 May 2022 Finally, moves like the shoulder tap and plank up-down that work on core stabilization—say, by resisting rotation or bending—challenge your transverse abdominis. — Christa Sgobba, SELF, 27 Apr. 2022 From time to time, Art would call Todd and sing a line or two into his voice mail, hoping Todd could plank out the appropriate chords. — Washington Post, 26 Apr. 2022 Throughout the course of this 20-minute workout video, Mays also drops some super important push-up and plank tips. — Christa Sgobba, SELF, 3 Feb. 2022 The best chest workouts feature a variety of exercises that target this muscle group from all angles, including push-ups, alternating chest presses, chest flys, plank up-downs, and much more. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, 2 Jan. 2022 Nearby, resident Griselda Alvarado stood shaded from the baking sun outside her bare wood plank home. — courier-journal.com, 26 Mar. 2021 The bodyweight dips will fire up your arms and shoulders; the lateral lunge shift will work your glutes and hamstrings; and the side plank with rotation will work your core. — Amy Eisinger, M.a., SELF, 30 Dec. 2020 Bay News 9 reporter Jorja Roman shared a video showing what appeared to be a plastic or metal plank dangling from powerlines overhead. — Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 16 Dec. 2020 See More

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.