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

Keep scrolling for more

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

Often when doing rainbow planks, we're told to rock our hips back and forth, moving in one fluid motion. — SELF, "Upper-Body Strength Builder Workout," 31 Dec. 2018 There are three main planks the bill covers: campaign finance reform, strengthening the government’s ethics laws, and expanding voting rights. — Ella Nilsen, Vox, "House Democrats unveil their first bill in the majority: a sweeping anti-corruption proposal," 30 Nov. 2018 Narrow cedar planks line the exterior and gabled roof to create an almost unibody appearance. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "The modern farmhouse goes tiny," 26 Nov. 2018 Ultimately, state party platforms and planks matter little, other than to inform the public on where the parties stand. — Melissa Davlin, idahostatesman, "Republicans navigate intersection of traditional values, societal change and young voices," 30 June 2018 It was finished with a farmhouse sink and a Porter Barn Wood plank wall. — Lisa Van Loo, azcentral, "Phoenix couple puts 'blood, sweat and tears' into historic 1925 Coronado renovation," 28 June 2018 At that point — knife in one hand, wood plank in the other — the woman successfully climbed over the desk just far enough to nab the cash register drawer, video shows. — Jared Gilmour, star-telegram, "She stole a Texas motel’s cash register. A large piece of wood was her weapon, video shows," 14 June 2018 The Wildwood Grilling Plank Set includes 5-by-8-inch planks in cedar, alder, cherry, maple and hickory. — Nedra Rhone, ajc, "10 great Father’s Day gift ideas," 7 June 2018 Other orders included taking ice-cold showers, standing for an hour at 4 a.m. and doing planks, the complaint says. — Corinne Ramey, WSJ, "‘Smallville’ Actress Accused of Participating in Cultlike Group Released From Jail," 24 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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 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

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.