plan

1 of 3

noun

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
2
a
: 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
planless adjective
planlessly adverb
planlessness noun

plan

2 of 3

verb

planned; planning

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 on
plans on going

plan-

3 of 3

combining form

variants or plano-
1
: flat
planography
2
: flat and
plano-concave
Choose the Right Synonym for plan

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Whether committing to a new fitness plan, redefining your daily habits or getting more organized in your work life, this lunation encourages you to create a routine that supports your well-being in the long-term. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Dec. 2024 For Hochman, the plan is to balance effective criminal justice reform with prioritizing public safety. Emma Tucker, CNN, 1 Dec. 2024
Verb
Past the money, the film itself purposefully sets up a future threat in a mid-credits scene meant to act as a cliffhanger for an eventual sequel, which would likely not exist if one was not planned. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024 Shiffrin plans to race the super-G on Sunday, Dec. 15. Peggy Shinn, Outside Online, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for plan 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, plane, foundation, ground plan; partly from Latin planum level ground, from neuter of planus level; partly from French planter to plant, fix in place, from Late Latin plantare — more at floor, plant

Combining form

Latin planus

First Known Use

Noun

1635, in the meaning defined at sense 2c

Verb

1718, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of plan was in 1635

Dictionary Entries Near plan

Cite this Entry

“Plan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plan. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

plan

1 of 2 noun
1
: a drawing or diagram showing the parts or outline of something
2
: a method or scheme of acting, doing, or arranging
a civil defense plan
vacation plans
3
: goal sense 2, aim
our plan was to stop them at the bridge
planless adjective

plan

2 of 2 verb
planned; planning
1
: to form a plan of or for : to arrange the parts or details of ahead of time
plan a church
plan a party
2
: to have in mind : intend
3
: to make plans
planner noun

Legal Definition

plan

noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on plan

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!