plan

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

Synonyms of plan

• prepare
• design
• organize
• arrange
• devise
• plot
• budget
• calculate
• blueprint
• chart

Examples of plan in a Sentence

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

That same fan said he’s lived in Kansas City for the last 10 years and plans to see at least one World Cup game that Algeria is in. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2026

At Alter Ego, the hotel plans to feature live jazz performances. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 June 2026

Pruner plans to have future pop-ups on June 21st and 28th in advance of the opening. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026

Days later, Knoblock announced that the school commencement would go on as planned that week, with additional security. —Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 9 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1718, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing plan

• according to plan
• American plan
• change of plan
• commission plan
• contingency plan
• European plan
• flight plan
• floor plan
• game plan
• ground plan
• installment plan
• Keogh plan
• master plan
• open-plan
• pension plan
• plan B
• plan of action
• plan of attack
• plan position indicator
• pre-plan
• retirement plan
• seating arrangement/plan
• seating plan

Rhymes for plan

• an
• ban
• bran
• can
• cann
• clan
• duan
• fan
• flan
• gran
• jann
• klan

Kids Definition

plan

1 of 2 noun

ˈplan 

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

-ləs 

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