1
2
: ground plan, plat
3
: the plan or main story (as of a movie or literary work)
4
[perhaps back-formation from complot]
: a secret plan for accomplishing a usually evil or unlawful end : intrigue
5
: a graphic representation (such as a chart)
plotlessness
noun
plotted; plotting
1
a
: to make a plot, map, or plan of
b
: to mark or note on or as if on a map or chart
2
: to lay out in plots (see plot entry 1 sense 1)
3
a
: to locate (a point) by means of coordinates
b
: to locate (a curve) by plotted points
c
: to represent (an equation) by means of a curve so constructed
4
: to plan or contrive especially secretly
5
: to invent or devise the plot of (something, such as a movie or a literary work)
1
: to form a plot : scheme
2
: to be located by means of coordinates
the data plot at a single point
Examples of plot in a Sentence
Noun
Her books are page-turners, and yet there is more going on in them than just the mechanics of a clever plot …
—
Robin McKinley, New York Times Book Review, 17 May 1987
… as he stood before the great dripping department store which now occupied the big plot of ground where once had stood both the Amberson Hotel and the Amberson Opera House.
—Booth Tarkington, The Magnificent Ambersons, 1918
When I returned with the pistol the table had been cleared, and Holmes was engaged in his favourite occupation of scraping upon his violin. "The plot thickens," he said, as I entered …
—Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet, 1887
The plots are selling for $15,000 per acre.
They just bought a 12-acre plot of land.
The book's plot revolves around a woman who is searching for her missing sister.
The movie has a weak plot.
Police uncovered a plot to assassinate the prime minister.
The prime minister was the target of an assassination plot.
Verb
While men plotted wars or devised philosophies, women were confined within their homes …
—Barbara Ehrenreich, Ms., Winter 2007
Would-be nation builders plotted Italy's unification from the south and the north.
—David Van Biema, Time, 4 Sept. 2000
They plotted to steal the painting.
She spent her years in prison plotting her revenge.
We've been plotting growth strategies for the company.
She carefully plotted her career path.
They've plotted the locations where the trees will be planted.
Have you plotted the route for your trip yet?
Students plotted soil temperatures on a graph throughout the school year.
Robin McKinley, New York Times Book Review, 17 May 1987
… as he stood before the great dripping department store which now occupied the big plot of ground where once had stood both the Amberson Hotel and the Amberson Opera House.
—Booth Tarkington, The Magnificent Ambersons, 1918
When I returned with the pistol the table had been cleared, and Holmes was engaged in his favourite occupation of scraping upon his violin. "The plot thickens," he said, as I entered …
—Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet, 1887
The plots are selling for $15,000 per acre.
They just bought a 12-acre plot of land.
The book's plot revolves around a woman who is searching for her missing sister.
The movie has a weak plot.
Police uncovered a plot to assassinate the prime minister.
The prime minister was the target of an assassination plot.
Verb
While men plotted wars or devised philosophies, women were confined within their homes …
—Barbara Ehrenreich, Ms., Winter 2007
Would-be nation builders plotted Italy's unification from the south and the north.
—David Van Biema, Time, 4 Sept. 2000
They plotted to steal the painting.
She spent her years in prison plotting her revenge.
We've been plotting growth strategies for the company.
She carefully plotted her career path.
They've plotted the locations where the trees will be planted.
Have you plotted the route for your trip yet?
Students plotted soil temperatures on a graph throughout the school year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 18 Apr. 2025
This revelation sparks a revenge plot on his end to steal even more business from Staten and put his ranch in jeopardy.
—Francesca Gariano, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Angel Saunders, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Leaders assume everything is fine, not realizing that high performers are masters at appearing fine while already plotting their next move.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plot
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Little is known about the story at this point, though recurring rumors are pointing to Jedi (or at least Force-sensitive characters) being a big part of the plot, even if the movie isn't a direct follow-up to the sequel trilogy.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 18 Apr. 2025
This revelation sparks a revenge plot on his end to steal even more business from Staten and put his ranch in jeopardy.
—Francesca Gariano, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
Victoria Goodwin has accepted a plea deal for her involvement in plotting her estranged husband Aaron Goodwin’s murder.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Leaders assume everything is fine, not realizing that high performers are masters at appearing fine while already plotting their next move.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plot
Cite this Entry
“Plot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plot. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
plot
1 of 2 noun1
: a small area of ground : lot
a cemetery plot
2
: a plan of a floor of a building
3
: the main story (as of a literary work or movie)
4
: an evil or unlawful scheme
5
plot
2 of 2 verb
plotted; plotting
1
a
: to make a plot, map, or plan of
b
: to mark, note, or locate on a map or chart
plot a ship's position
2
: to plan especially secretly : scheme
3
a
: to locate and mark (a point) by means of coordinates
b
: to make (a curve) by marking out a number of plotted points
plotter
noun
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