plural plans
1
: a set of actions that have been thought of as a way to do or achieve something
the President's economic plan
the army's plan of attack
We need to agree on a plan of action.
—often + forThe partners created a business plan for their new store.
The city has a ten-year plan for fixing the city's roads.
Not everything at the show went according to plan. [=the way it was supposed to]
2
: something that a person intends to do
Our plan was to have the guests park on the street, not the lawn.
—often pluralWe would love to have dinner at your house Friday night, but we already have plans. [=we are already planning/expecting to do something else]
They didn't want to change their vacation plans.
We made plans to go out this Friday.
When we met them at the restaurant, they said there had been a change of/in plan.
3
: a detailed agreement for telephone service, medical care, insurance, etc.
a health/medical plan [=an insurance program that pays for medical care]
He changed his long-distance/calling plan.
a tuition payment plan
Her employer offers a great dental plan. [=insurance for dental care]
a retirement plan
4
: a drawing that shows the parts or details of something (such as a building, town, machine, etc.)
a street plan of Washington, D.C.
a seating plan [=a drawing that shows the places where particular people will sit at a gathering]
—often pluralThe builder brought over the plans for their new house.
The architect drew up plans for the office tower.
plans; planned; planning
1
: to think about and arrange the parts or details of (something) before it happens or is made
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.
—sometimes + outHer success was no accident. She had the whole thing planned out.
They planned it all out.
You should first plan out your essay.
Always remember to plan ahead.
2
a
: to intend or expect to do (something)
—followed by to + verb
She plans to move out and get a divorce.
Please let us know if you plan to attend.
—followed by on + -ing verbWe don't plan on going anywhere tonight.
They plan on coming to the party.
b
: to expect something to happen
—+ for or on
They didn't plan for [=anticipate] such a long wait at the restaurant.
She didn't plan on such cold weather.
Cite this Entry
“Plan.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/plan. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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