Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Jump To:
  • master plan
    master plan
    noun
    a general plan or program for achieving an objective.
  • master-plan
    master-plan
    verb (used with object)
    to construct a master plan for.
Synonyms

master plan

1 American  

noun

  1. a general plan or program for achieving an objective.


master-plan 2 American  
[mas-ter-plan, mah-ster-] / ˈmæs tərˌplæn, ˈmɑ stər- /

verb (used with object)

master-planned, master-planning
  1. to construct a master plan for.

    to master-plan one's career.

  2. to develop or improve (land, a community, a building complex, or the like) through a long-range plan that balances and harmonizes all elements.

    The engineers master-planned the island to provide for increases in the tourist population.


master plan British  

noun

  1. a comprehensive long-term strategy

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of master plan

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

So what’s his master plan to pull his campaign out of a stall?

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

Among the agreements signed on Wednesday was a framework for a Vietnam-South Korea "master plan on cooperation in science, technology and innovation".

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

Colletti: I’ve got this master plan of telling my kid that his dad was on a TV show that was really cool back in the day.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

The estimated costs in the 2020 master plan have likely changed due to rising prices for materials and construction labor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

Outrage in Rome Mark Antony expected the Romans to see that his actions strengthened his master plan for successfully ruling the east on Rome’s behalf.

From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "master plan" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com