plan
noun
a scheme or method of acting, doing, proceeding, making, etc., developed in advance.
plan
1 American
[plan]
/ plæn /
noun
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plans
plural
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a scheme or method of acting, doing, proceeding, making, etc., developed in advance.
battle plans.
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a design or scheme of arrangement.
an elaborate plan for seating guests.
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a specific project or definite purpose.
plans for the future.
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Also called plan view. a drawing made to scale to represent the top view or a horizontal section of a structure or a machine, as a floor layout of a building.
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a representation of a thing drawn on a plane, as a map or diagram.
a plan of the dock area.
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(in perspective drawing) one of several planes in front of a represented object, and perpendicular to the line between the object and the eye.
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a formal program for specified benefits, needs, etc..
a pension plan.
verb (used with object)
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plans,
present (3rd person singular)
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planned,
past participle, past
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planning
present participle
verb (used without object)
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plans,
present (3rd person singular)
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planned,
past participle, past
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planning
present participle
plan-
2
American
plan
British
/ plæn /
noun
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a detailed scheme, method, etc, for attaining an objective
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(sometimes plural) a proposed, usually tentative idea for doing something
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a drawing to scale of a horizontal section through a building taken at a given level; a view from above an object or an area in orthographic projection Compare ground plan elevation
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an outline, sketch, etc
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(in perspective drawing) any of several imaginary planes perpendicular to the line of vision and between the eye and object depicted
verb
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to form a plan (for) or make plans (for)
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(tr) to make a plan of (a building)
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(tr; takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to have in mind as a purpose; intend
plan
Idioms
Usage
What is a basic definition of plan? A plan is a program or method prepared ahead of time, a project or definite purpose, or a design or drawing of something. Plan has several other senses as a noun and a verb. When you come up with a plan, you are creating a method or scheme to do something, make something, or take another kind of action, like a plan for getting your homework done. If someone does something without thinking about what to do, how to do it, and when to do it, they don’t have a plan. A plan doesn’t have to be written down, though. It may only exist in your mind. A person who comes up with a plan is a planner.
- Real-life examples: Your school very likely has a plan for everyone leaving the building if there is a fire. Criminals often come up with a plan of how they will steal something and when so that they will know what to do and be able to leave quickly.
- Used in a sentence: The prisoners needed hot air balloons for their elaborate escape plan.
- Used in a sentence: We planned a surprise party for my dad.
- Used in a sentence: She couldn’t go hiking with us because she had already made plans to travel to California.
- Used in a sentence: The fire chief got the building plan from the janitor, so he could find the circuit breaker.
Synonym Usage
Plan, project, design, scheme imply a formulated method of doing something. Plan refers to any method of thinking out acts and purposes beforehand: What are your plans for today? A project is a proposed or tentative plan, often elaborate or extensive: an irrigation project. Design suggests art, dexterity, or craft (sometimes evil and selfish) in the elaboration or execution of a plan, and often tends to emphasize the purpose in view: a misunderstanding brought about by design. A scheme is apt to be either a speculative, possibly impracticable, plan, or a selfish or dishonest one: a scheme to swindle someone.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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planlessnessnoun
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misplanverb
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overplanverb
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preplanverb
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outplanverb (used with object)
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replanverb (used with object)
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underplanverb (used with object)
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unplanverb (used with object)
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planlessadjective
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well-plannedadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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plansimple
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planssimple
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have plannedperfect
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has plannedperfect
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am planningprogressive
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are planningprogressive
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is planningprogressive
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have been planningperfect progressive
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has been planningperfect progressive
Past
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plannedsimple
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had plannedperfect
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was planningprogressive
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were planningprogressive
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had been planningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of plan
First recorded in 1670–80; from French: “ground, plan, groundwork, scheme,” noun use of the adjective: “flat” ( see plane 1), a learned borrowing of Latin plānus “level” ( cf. plain 1)
Explanation
Do you have an idea of what you want and have thought carefully and in detail about how to get it? Then you have a plan, a series of actions required to achieve a particular goal. A plan can exist only in your head, or it can be a physical object, such as an architectural plan of a building, showing how you propose to build it. As a verb, plan means the act of thinking about how to achieve your aims. You might plan to apply to colleges soon. When you plan something, you're laying the seeds for a future result, so it's not surprising that plan comes from the early English word plante, meaning "seedling."
Vocabulary lists containing plan
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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"Raymond's Run"
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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.
See Examples For:
“Almost all of the internet marketplaces either have a very large advertising business or plan to build one over time,” said Josh Beck, a tech analyst at Raymond James.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
He argued the Arctic island was an essential piece of his plan to build a futuristic "Golden Dome" defence system to protect the US against missile attacks.
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
So, rather than feeling ashamed, I made a realistic plan to pay this debt down.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026
The researchers also plan to test other forms of biochar, evaluate the mixture in different grades of concrete and mortar, and study whether pre-soaked biochar can further improve its performance.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026
Still, I get to make a satisfying check mark next to the first entry on my training plan.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
“Correct. With their defenses in shambles, the Keepers stalled for time, putting off answering Icarion’s demands. The Icarions were not fooled. “They moved the Protocol into the space between the two plan- ets.
From The Verge ● Jun. 11, 2019
The team says they need time to perform an investigation into the commissioner’s grounds for attempting to end the Dodgers’ plan- filing exclusivity.
From BusinessWeek ● Sep. 28, 2011
Kepler’s third or harmonic law, a precise connection between the size of a plan- et’s orbit and the period for it to go once around the Sun.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
"Grub" in other words, supper, was served, a prodigious number of "plan- cakes" being consumed.
From Cowboy Dave by Frank V. Webster
Michigan regulators have told utilities to come up with plans for shutting off power in targeted areas when wildfire risks are high.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
The family of Sir Sean Connery has announced plans for a new filmmaking centre in Edinburgh.
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
Quantum stocks have seen mixed returns in recent months, when shares of a number of industry players soared after the U.S. government announced plans to provide $2 billion in grants and stakes in quantum-computing companies.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026
YVO begins closer coordination with the National Park Service and emergency management authorities, reviewing road closures, public communications and evacuation plans.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026
And sometimes we make daytime plans on the weekend.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
The much-anticipated IPO was initially planned for next month, but the company wanted to be able to put its third-quarter financial results on display for investors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
It saw 1,600 jobs cut immediately, amid 3,600 planned losses overall.
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
It also completed 10 somersaults in only 11 seconds while remaining within about 4 or 5 centimeters of its planned flight path.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026
Spotify’s tool, a planned paid add-on for Premium subscribers, has no launch date.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026
Hitler’s air force has something big planned for today.
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
The planning proposals were currently out for public consultation and would be available for locals to comment on until 17 October.
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
As one example, FedEx is planning an AI agent workforce to work with its human staff, the shipping giant’s Chief Digital and Information Officer Vishal Talwar told me earlier this year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
The good news is a little planning now, using proven tax strategies for the wealthy, can prevent much pain later.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026
The newly confirmed site was first noticed by an amateur astronomer who was planning a camping trip in Quebec.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026
After all, it wasn’t like I was planning to take him up on his offer anytime soon.
From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
