plank

[ plangk ]

/ plæŋk /

noun

a long, flat piece of timber, thicker than a board.

lumber in such pieces; planking.

something to stand on or to cling to for support.

any one of the stated principles or objectives comprising the political platform of a party campaigning for election: They fought for a plank supporting a nuclear freeze.

verb (used with object)

to lay, cover, or furnish with planks.

to bake or broil and serve (steak, fish, chicken, etc.) on a wooden board.

plunk(def 2).

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salute

to call out to in order to stop, attract attention, ask aid, etc.

to wield power; exercise rule.

to express respect or praise for; honor; commend.

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Idioms for plank

walk the plank,

to be forced, as by pirates, to walk to one's death by stepping off a plank extending from the ship's side over the water.
to relinquish something, as a position, office, etc., under compulsion: We suspect that the new vice-president walked the plank because of a personality clash.

Origin of plank

1275–1325; Middle English planke < Old North French < Latin planca board, plank. See planch

OTHER WORDS FROM plank

plank·less, adjectiveplank·like, adjectiveun·planked, adjective

Words nearby plank

planimetry, planing, planing hull, planish, planisphere, plank, plank floor, plank-sheer, planking, plankter, plankton

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for plank

We all jumped from our seats and stood rigid as plank boards.
I Shot Bin Laden|Elliot Ackerman|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It has a lovely rustic feel with plank wooden floors and uncovered fireplaces.
The Hell of the Hamptons: Why the Exclusive Hotspot Is a Mind-Numbing Drag|Robert Gold|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
First Duggan defied him, then Rusev smashed Duggan's plank over his knee.
Putin Vs. Obama—In Spandex: Wrestling’s New Cold War|Tim Teeman|May 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Perhaps Ham will dedicate a plank in the replica ark to his bowtied benefactor.
The Bill Nye-Ken Ham Debate Was a Nightmare for Science|Michael Schulson|February 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Northup slept on a plank 12 inches wide and 10 feet long, with a stick of wood as his pillow.
The ‘12 Years a Slave’ Book Shows Slavery As Even More Appalling Than In the Film|Jimmy So|October 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A new line of battle was formed on the plank road west of Chancellorsville, and on the turnpike east.
The Campaign of Chancellorsville|Theodore A. Dodge
A plank or fence-rail served as a temporary draw-bridge, which was pulled into the swamp after passing over.
Revolutionary Reader|Sophie Lee Foster
Beaulieu had placed a battery of thirty cannon so as to completely sweep every plank of the bridge.
Military Career of Napoleon the Great|Montgomery B. Gibbs
"A hundred aces," broke in Plank's heavy voice as he played the last trick and picked up the scoring card and pencil.
The Fighting Chance|Robert W. Chambers
Plank, standing beside the stretcher, raised his head, listening to the ambulance arriving at full speed.
The Fighting Chance|Robert W. Chambers

British Dictionary definitions for plank (1 of 2)

plank¹

/ (plæŋk) /

noun

a stout length of sawn timber

something that supports or sustains

one of the policies in a political party's programme

walk the plank to be forced by pirates to walk to one's death off the end of a plank jutting out over the water from the side of a ship

British slang a stupid person; idiot

verb (tr)

to cover or provide (an area) with planks

to beat (meat) to make it tender

mainly US and Canadian to cook or serve (meat or fish) on a special wooden board

Word Origin for plank

C13: from Old Norman French planke, from Late Latin planca board, from plancus flat-footed; probably related to Greek plax flat surface

British Dictionary definitions for plank (2 of 2)

plank²

/ (plæŋk) /

verb

(tr) Scot to hide; cache

Word Origin for plank

C19: a variant of plant

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

Idioms and Phrases with plank

plank

see walk the plank.

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plank