plan

noun \ ˈplan \

Updated on: 10 Dec 2017

Definition of plan

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

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planless

play \ˈplan-ləs\ adjective

—

planlessly

adverb

—

planlessness

noun

See plan defined for English-language learners

See plan defined for kids

Examples of plan in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of plan from the Web

At Auburn, Benedict directed the day-to-day operations of the athletic department and led long-term plans for the budget, facilities, staffing and strategic goals.

— james crepea | [email protected], AL.com, "7 potential candidates for Auburn athletic director," 5 Nov. 2017
Of the three provinces that have released broad outlines, the plans put forth by Ontario and Alberta, although sketchy, treat marijuana much like alcohol.

— ian austen, New York Times, "Ready or Not, Recreational Marijuana Use Is Coming to Canada," 4 Nov. 2017
Chilton told the oversight board on Thursday that the health plans are underfunded to the tune of about $6 billion.

— tom loftus, The Courier-Journal, "Pension reform: Lawmakers might rethink plan to increase health care costs for retirees," 3 Nov. 2017
Announced in August, the monthlong takeover provides daily live music, art and tech experiences across the city throughout November — with plans to keep the series in Chicago for the next year or two.

— jessi roti, chicagotribune.com, "Red Bull Sound Select's '30 Days' concert series finds a home in Chicago's 'culture push'," 2 Nov. 2017
Gabrielle Union is tired of being asked about her plans to have children.

— zara hanawalt, Redbook, "Don’t Ask Gabrielle Union — or Any Woman — When She’s Having Kids," 1 Nov. 2017
Perhaps most ambitious of all, Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, harbors dreams of enacting a muscular carbon pricing plan along with California, Oregon and officials in Canada.

— alexander burns and kirk johnson, New York Times, "Poised for West Coast Dominance, Democrats Eye Grand Agenda," 4 Nov. 2017
The gesture put Lake County ahead of schedule with regard to a State Historical Society plan to have the portrait placed in all 102 Illinois courthouses in time for the state's bicentennial on Dec. 3, 2018.

— jim newton, chicagotribune.com, "'Honest Abe' to keep watch over Lake County Courthouse," 1 Nov. 2017
Under the current plans, the main house will be refurbished by 120 contractors working daily for 18 months.

— sam dangremond, Town & Country, "See Inside Doughty House, One of London's Most Expensive Private Residences," 31 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plan.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of plan

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1735

See Words from the same year

plan Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

collusion, conspiracy, plot; contrivance, device, gambit, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, subterfuge, trick; counterplan, counterstrategy; means, tactic, technique, way; procedure, protocol; conception, idea, projet, proposal, specific (s), specification (s); aim, intent, intention, purpose; diagram, formula, layout, map, pattern, platform, policy, recipe, setup

Near Antonyms

means, method, way

Synonym Discussion of 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

plan

verb

Definition of plan

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

—

planner

noun

See plan defined for English-language learners

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 of plan from the Web

If all goes as planned — construction of LNG storage, LNG plant expansion and numerous other variables — more natural gas should start flowing to the Fairbanks area in 2020.

— author: elwood brehmer, Alaska Dispatch News, "AIDEA approves sale of LNG plant to Fairbanks gas utility," 5 Nov. 2017
The president’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., and Brian Walsh, America First Action’s president, gave presentations to the group about the tax debate and the role the group plans to play in the 2018 midterm elections.

— john mccormick, Bloomberg.com, "Lewandowski Stars in Pro-Trump Ad Blitz Backing GOP Tax Plan," 3 Nov. 2017
Noblesville is planning to have students return Aug. 1.

— emma kate fittes, Indianapolis Star, "Attempt to push back Indiana schools' start date will continue, senator says," 2 Nov. 2017
The chorus is also planning a lineup of Christmas shows, including 9:45 a.m. Nov. 30 at the Oceana Coffee Hour in Oceanside.

— linda mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Sneak peek at community news," 2 Nov. 2017
Maybe Mueller is planning on a superseding indictment that piles on tax and fraud charges.

— andrew c. mccarthy, National Review, "More Thoughts on the Manafort Indictment," 1 Nov. 2017
The group plans to visit more than 100 high schools in 20 cities across the nation using their talent to not only entertain but also education and leave a long-standing impact on the students.

— dina kesbeh, Houston Chronicle, "Action Sports Athletes bring anti-bullying campaign to schools," 31 Oct. 2017
George Papadopoulos clearly is not planning to go down for this alone.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "George Papadopoulos Is the First Crack in the Wall," 31 Oct. 2017
Thus, apart from the occasional use of defib paddles, the signing ceremony went off as planned.

— contributing writer, NOLA.com, "Selling or buying a house: How to deal with a closing day surprise," 30 Oct. 2017

First Known Use of plan

1718

plan Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

conspire, contrive, devise, intrigue, machinate, plot, put up; concert, get up; draft, outline, sketch; aim, figure, have on, intend, mean; contemplate, meditate, premeditate

plan-

combining form

variants: or plano-

Definition of plan-

1 : flat

planography

2 : flat and

plano-concave

Origin and Etymology of plan-

Latin planus

PLAN Defined for English Language Learners

plan

noun

Definition of plan for English Language Learners

: a set of actions that have been thought of as a way to do or achieve something
: something that a person intends to do
: a detailed agreement for telephone service, medical care, insurance, etc.

plan

verb

Definition of plan for English Language Learners

: to think about and arrange the parts or details of (something) before it happens or is made
: to intend or expect to do (something)
: to expect something to happen

PLAN Defined for Kids

plan

noun \ ˈplan \

Definition of plan for Students

1 : a method or scheme of acting, doing, or arranging

vacation plans

They were nervous because … their plan was indeed a risky one.
—Lemony Snicket, The Austere Academy

2 : a drawing or diagram showing the parts or outline of something

Synonym Discussion of plan

plan, plot, and scheme mean a method of making or doing something or achieving an end. plan is used when some thinking was done beforehand often with something written down or pictured.

- The builder proposed a plan for a new school.

plot is used for a complicated, carefully shaped plan of several parts. plot can be used of the plan of a story.

- It's a mystery story with a good plot.

It can also be used of a secret, usually evil plan.

- The robbery plot was uncovered.

scheme is used when there is a tricky plan often for evil reasons.

- The scheme to cheat people backfired.

plan

verb

Definition of plan for Students

planned; planning

1 : to form a diagram of or for : arrange the parts or details of ahead of time

plan a bridge

plan a picnic

2 : to have in mind : intend What are you planning to do with the leftovers?

Law Dictionary

plan

noun

legal Definition of plan

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