plan

noun

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\ ˈplan

Definition of plan

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a drawing or diagram drawn on a plane: such as

a : a top or horizontal view of an object

b : a large-scale map of a small area

2a : a method for achieving an end

b : an often customary method of doing something : procedure

c : a detailed formulation of a program of action

d : goal, aim

3 : an orderly arrangement of parts of an overall design or objective

4 : a detailed program (as for payment or the provision of some service) pension plan

plan

verb

planned; planning

Definition of plan (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to arrange the parts of : design plan a new layout

2 : to devise or project the realization or achievement of planned their escape

3 : to have in mind : intend plans to leave soon

intransitive verb

1 : to make plans plan ahead

2 : to have a specified intention —used with onplans on going

plan-

combining form

variants: or plano-

Definition of plan- (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : flat planography

2 : flat and plano-concave

Other Words from plan Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about plan

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Choose the Right Synonym for plan

Noun

plan, design, plot, scheme, project mean a method devised for making or doing something or achieving an end. plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation. plans for a house design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony. a design for a new dress plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions. the plot of the play scheme stresses calculation of the end in view and may apply to a plan motivated by craftiness and self-interest. a scheme to defraud the government project often stresses imaginative scope and vision. a project to develop the waterfront

Noun

plan, plot, and scheme mean a method of making or doing something or achieving an end. plan is used when some thinking was done beforehand often with something written down or pictured. The builder proposed a plan for a new school. plot is used for a complicated, carefully shaped plan of several parts. plot can be used of the plan of a story. It's a mystery story with a good plot. It can also be used of a secret, usually evil plan. The robbery plot was uncovered. scheme is used when there is a tricky plan often for evil reasons. The scheme to cheat people backfired.

Examples of plan in a Sentence

Noun the army's plan of attack We need to agree on a plan of action. Our plan was to have the guests park on the street, not the lawn. When we met them at the restaurant, they said there had been a change of plan. He changed his long-distance plan. Verb We are busy planning the party. The prisoners spent months planning their escape. a teacher planning her next lesson The students are planning a protest. We have something very special planned for your birthday. Their wedding is planned for June. a planned series of books about cars Things don't always go as planned. Always remember to plan ahead.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun In previous strategic overhauls at the banks, unions have agreed to the plans after extracting concessions. — Washington Post, "Why Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank Are Limping to Altar," 18 Sep. 2019 Development is to be done in phases _ with the first 16 houses built on an extension of Wilson Way, currently a dead-end off Cougar Drive, according to the plan. — Jesse Leavenworth, courant.com, "Manchester subdivision approved," 17 Sep. 2019 According to the plan, the commission will make recommendations on a host of issues including how best to streamline disaster relief applications and creating a permanent source of disaster relief funding. — Priscilla Thompson, NBC News, "Pete Buttigieg to unveil disaster relief plan in South Carolina," 17 Sep. 2019 Unfortunately, injuries are just part of the game and just like NFL coaches who have to game-plan without some of their stars, fantasy managers are tasked with that same responsibility. — Bill Enright, SI.com, "Week 3 Fantasy Football Injury Report," 17 Sep. 2019 When Infante told Pique of his plan to tattoo Beckham Jr.'s signature on his arm, Pique relayed the idea to Beckham Jr. — Hayden Grove, cleveland.com, "Odell Beckham Jr. signs special autograph for fan who will have it tattooed," 17 Sep. 2019 President Donald Trump said last week that his administration plans to ban non-tobacco-flavored vaping products amid concern about health risks and the increasing use among teenagers. — Paige Cornwell, The Seattle Times, "Washington health officials declare statewide outbreak in vaping-related illness," 17 Sep. 2019 OneWeb, which is backed by Softbank, and Amazon have their own plans to build megaconstellations of internet satellites, though SpaceX is considered the frontrunner to become the first to market. — Jackie Wattles, CNN, "SpaceX wants to beam internet across the American South by late 2020," 17 Sep. 2019 If the rally in Rio Rancho goes according to plan, Trump may make the Land of Enchantment a regular pit stop along the campaign trail in the months to come. — Natasha Bach, Fortune, "Trump’s Plan to Turn New Mexico Red Starts With Rio Rancho Rally Tonight," 16 Sep. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb As of this writing, attorneys for the former Yeshiva students—now numbering forty-one—planned to refile the lawsuit with new evidence on August 14, the day the law was scheduled to go into effect. — Linda Stasi, Harper's magazine, "Secrets and Lies," 16 Sep. 2019 The areas shaded in green are planned for parking spaces and the purple square identifies the entrance to the parking lots north of the existing Cal Fire Station driveway at 16310 state Route 67. — Julie Gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Planners review Woodson parking, evacuation plan," 13 Sep. 2019 When Windows 10 enthusiast and Twitter user Ajith discovered recently that the capability works on his phone, that seemed to confirm Microsoft’s plans to roll out the technology in the near future. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Windows 10's Your Phone app will get a battery indicator soon, and maybe calls, too," 9 Sep. 2019 The outline states the Office of Children & Family Success is partnering with nonprofits to establish transitional jobs and to create a Credible Mentor program pairing mentors with 10 young people each to help plan their personal development. — Luke Broadwater, baltimoresun.com, "With Baltimore’s business leaders growing impatient, mayor reveals ‘Squeegee Alternative Plan’," 17 Sep. 2019 This move has been rumored to be under consideration for months and sets up a legal showdown that will pit the federal government against California and the 13 states that plan to follow its lead. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Trump to eliminate California’s car emission standards waiver," 17 Sep. 2019 In 2017, Ford CEO Jim Hackett, discussing his company’s plans to invest big in electrics, told investors that Ford could reduce time spent building EVs by 30 percent, compared with conventional vehicles, according to Reuters. — Wired, "The Shift to Electric Vehicles Propels a Strike Against GM," 17 Sep. 2019 Pat Kupec hasn’t met the people who received the organs, skin and bones of her daughter, a young mother and Iraq War veteran who was planning a career in criminal justice. — Don Stacom, courant.com, "Mother of Stafford organ donor: ‘Katie is still here, she’s still helping people’," 17 Sep. 2019 Halo Top will be expanding outside of the U.S. and Canada under a new company that Doug Bouton, president and chief operating officer of Halo Top, plans to operate after the deal closes, Wells said. — Los Angeles Times, "Halo Top ice cream company is sold to Blue Bunny’s owner," 17 Sep. 2019

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

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More Definitions for plan

plan

noun

English Language Learners Definition of plan

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a set of actions that have been thought of as a way to do or achieve something

: something that a person intends to do

: a detailed agreement for telephone service, medical care, insurance, etc.

plan

verb

English Language Learners Definition of plan (Entry 2 of 2)

: to think about and arrange the parts or details of (something) before it happens or is made

: to intend or expect to do (something)

: to expect something to happen

See the full definition for plan in the English Language Learners Dictionary

plan

noun

\ ˈplan

Kids Definition of plan

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a method or scheme of acting, doing, or arranging vacation plans They were nervous because … their plan was indeed a risky one.— Lemony Snicket, The Austere Academy

2 : a drawing or diagram showing the parts or outline of something

plan

verb

planned; planning

Kids Definition of plan (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to form a diagram of or for : arrange the parts or details of ahead of time plan a bridge plan a picnic

2 : to have in mind : intend What are you planning to do with the leftovers?

plan

noun

Legal Definition of plan

1 : a diagram of an area of land (as a subdivision) filed in the registry of deeds — see also plot plan

2 : a detailed program especially : one made under chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code that places future earnings under the control of a trustee, provides for the payment of creditors, and is subject to approval by the creditors

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