Five-Year Plan

American  

[fahyv-yeer] / ˈfaɪvˌyɪər /

noun

(sometimes lowercase)

1. any plan for national economic or industrial development specifying goals to be reached within a period of five years, especially as undertaken by the Soviet Union and China.

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Five-Year Plan British  

noun

1. (formerly in socialist economies) a government plan for economic development over a period of five years

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Etymology

Origin of Five-Year Plan

1925–30; originally probably as translation of Russian pyatilétka

Example Sentences

In mid-March, China unveiled its bold new vision for the coming half decade: its 15th Five-Year Plan, which mentions quantum computing in its pledge to “nurture industries of the future.”

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

This is a key focus of the country's new 15th Five-Year Plan, which sees technology not just as an economic priority but as a strategic one given tensions with the US.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

China has committed an estimated $15 billion to quantum research, with its new Five-Year Plan listing quantum among high-priority future industries.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Building a next-generation pulsed-power machine was incorporated into China’s 14th Five-Year Plan in 2021.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

One of the major goals of the second Five-Year Plan was to multiply the number of civil air routes across the USSR, covering extreme distances and connecting the far-flung corners of the huge country.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

• blueprint
• scheme