plank

noun \ ˈplaŋk \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 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

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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

The manufacturer won a lifeline for the superjumbo with a January order for 20 new planes from Emirates, the only airline to have made the model a central plank of its fleet.

— tom lavell, Bloomberg.com, "Two Unwanted A380s Are Moving Closer to the Scrapheap," 5 June 2018
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Democrat: Villaraigosa has also made education a central plank of his campaign platform.

— los angeles times staff, latimes.com, "Where the candidates for California governor stand on the state's biggest issues," 4 June 2018
Fitness guru Natalie Jill shared her five go-to moves that put a spin on the plank position.

— blake bakkila, Health.com, "The 7 Best Ab Exercises That Are All Over Pinterest," 15 May 2018
In the video, Llorente can be seen starting in a high plank position.

— allyson chiu, ajc, "Woman says she broke burpee world record. Why many disagree," 8 May 2018
Captain Slick and his grimy band of pirates took control of the tall ship California on Sunday, forcing the crew of roughly 40 landlubbers — those not skilled at sea — to swab the deck or face walking the plank.

— phillip molnar, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Pirates take over Maritime Museum as part of two-day Pirate Days event," 20 May 2018
Macron has made reforming France’s economy a central plank of his presidency.

— angela charlton and masha macpherson, USA TODAY, "Strike causes French railway chaos, with more to come," 3 Apr. 2018
One of the planks broke and the teen plunged 25 feet (7.62 meters) into a 4-foot-wide (1.22-meter) drainage pipe.

— Fox News, "The Latest: Boy found after fall into drain pipe at LA park," 2 Apr. 2018
The side plank can be performed either on your forearm or your hand.

— emily abbate, GQ, "4 Simple Ways to Prevent Lower Back Pain from Ruining Your Life," 29 Mar. 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

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
Most of these stunts were simple and silly, but one-upmanship eventually took over as daredevils planked in more outrageous and dangerous places.

— eric levenson, CNN, "'Blinded by YouTube fame': Stunts and pranks go awry in the online era," 29 June 2017
If the promise of small talk with the former First Lady isn't enough to get you out of bed, what about planking with her?

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "Michelle Obama Is Now Hosting Bootcamps for Her Girlfriends, and We Want an Invite," 19 June 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)