plan

1 of 3

noun

ˈplan 

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

ˈplan-ləs 

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

Synonyms

Noun

• arrangement
• blueprint
• design
• game
• game plan
• ground plan
• master plan
• program
• project
• road map
• scheme
• strategy
• system

Verb

• arrange
• blueprint
• budget
• calculate
• chart
• choreograph
• design
• frame
• lay out
• map (out)
• organize
• prepare
• project
• scheme (out)
• shape
• strategize (about)

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

Example Sentences

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.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

One of the General Assembly’s largest undertakings during the 90-day legislative session in Annapolis, the cannabis plan was set in motion earlier this month when lawmakers drafted the lengthy proposal to regulate and tax the new industry. —Sam Janesch, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2023

The plan brought harsh critics who then pushed for data transparency rather than limiting data collection. —Alexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2023

Under the plan, groups of five or more American citizens or permanent residents can apply to privately sponsor the resettlement of refugees. —Geraldo Cadava, The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2023

The unlimited plan ranges from $250 to $525 depending on the length of the cruise. —Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2023

The plan can be viewed online at: https://www.glenview.il.us/Pages/Bike-and-Pedestrian-Master-Plan.aspx. —Brian L. Cox, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2023

By the time today’s kindergartners are high school seniors, the plan was supposed to increase statewide education spending by 45 percent, or $3.9 billion. —Erin Cox, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2023

The plan will be overseen by the global auditing giant PwC and would compensate investors for potential financial losses if businesses were expropriated or projects were disrupted. —Liz Alderman, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2023

Most supported the Arizona plan and opposed further federal involvement, including comments received from the Arizona Public Service Co. utility, Associated Specialty Contractors of Arizona and the North Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. —Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 16 Feb. 2023

Verb

Here's how the new company leaders plan to turn things around for 2023. —Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2023

The solid data twice a month can help SRP plan its operations. —Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2023

Meanwhile, Hoffman, the committee chair, is leading a group of conservatives who plan to sue Hobbs for issuing an executive order guaranteeing equal employment opportunities for LGBTQ people working at state agencies. —Eli Hager, ProPublica, 1 Mar. 2023

Larger trays are often ideal for gardeners who plan to start a lot of seeds in a multi-level seed starting station with grow lights, like the Delxo Seed Starter Tray. —Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Mar. 2023

Its 2023 schedule is listed online for travelers who want to plan ahead. —Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 1 Mar. 2023

Couldn’t have possibly had more than a month to plan, think, design & execute. —Marco Quiroz-gutierrez, Fortune Crypto, 28 Feb. 2023

Sam and her fiancé return to her family's beach house to plan their wedding. —Katie Bowlby, Country Living, 28 Feb. 2023

As such, travelers coming from sea level might want to plan for an extra acclimatization day at the start of their trip, and factor in additional hiking time on trails with notable elevation gain. —Emily Pennington, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Feb. 2023

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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

1735, in the meaning defined at sense 2c

Verb

1718, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing plan

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

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

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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