planning

American  

[plan-ing] / ˈplæn ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or process of making a plan or plans.

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Etymology

Origin of planning

First recorded in 1740–50; plan + -ing ¹

Explanation

You can use the noun planning to talk about the process of making a plan. Your elaborate tree house project will require hours of planning before you hammer a single nail into a piece of wood. Planning is the act of getting ready for something to happen — you might find that the planning for the prom and the excitement it brings is as fun as the event itself. During planning for any event, you figure out what things you will need, how long it will take, and what you will do if anything goes wrong. For a cook, planning might include finding and measuring all ingredients, gathering the pots and pans they will need, even checking that the stove works!

Example Sentences

I’d flown 35 hours to be here, playing Frogger with San Salvador traffic, dodging motorbikes, arms already open for a hug I’d been planning for years.

From Slate • Apr. 12, 2026

She confided in her mother that their marriage was on the rocks and she was planning to move home.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Even if you aren’t planning to switch AI apps, extracting this data is worth the effort.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Benesh says the date that most Big Food companies are planning to phase out certain dyes isn’t a coincidence.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

I’m planning to do eight hill repeats, but by my fourth time up, every breath is agony.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Related Words

• plan