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Plan

 - 9 dictionary results

plan

  [plan] noun, verb, planned, plan⋅ning.
Use Plan in a Sentence
–noun
1. a scheme or method of acting, doing, proceeding, making, etc., developed in advance: battle plans.
2. a design or scheme of arrangement: an elaborate plan for seating guests.
3. a specific project or definite purpose: plans for the future.
4. 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.
5. a representation of a thing drawn on a plane, as a map or diagram: a plan of the dock area.
6. (in perspective drawing) one of several planes in front of a represented object, and perpendicular to the line between the object and the eye.
7. a formal program for specified benefits, needs, etc.: a pension plan.
–verb (used with object)
8. to arrange a method or scheme beforehand for (any work, enterprise, or proceeding): to plan a new recreation center.
9. to make plans for: to plan one's vacation.
10. to draw or make a diagram or layout of, as a building.
–verb (used without object)
11. to make plans: to plan ahead; to plan for one's retirement.
Origin:
1670–80; < F: ground, plan, groundwork, scheme, n. use of the adj.: flat, plane 1 , learned borrowing of L plānus level (cf. plain 1 )

Related forms:
planless, adjective
plan⋅less⋅ly, adverb
plan⋅less⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. plot, formula, system. 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. 4. sketch, draft, diagram, chart. 8. design, devise, plot.

plan-

 
var. of plano- 1 before a vowel: planate.

plano-

1 
a combining form meaning “flat,” “plane,” used in the formation of compound words: planography.
Also, plani-; especially before a vowel, plan-.

Origin:
comb. form repr. L plānus level, plānum level ground
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Plan
plan   (plān)   
n.  

  1. A scheme, program, or method worked out beforehand for the accomplishment of an objective: a plan of attack.

  2. A proposed or tentative project or course of action: had no plans for the evening.

  3. A systematic arrangement of elements or important parts; a configuration or outline: a seating plan; the plan of a story.

  4. A drawing or diagram made to scale showing the structure or arrangement of something.

  5. In perspective rendering, one of several imaginary planes perpendicular to the line of vision between the viewer and the object being depicted.

  6. A program or policy stipulating a service or benefit: a pension plan.

v.   planned, plan·ning, plans

v.   tr.

  1. To formulate a scheme or program for the accomplishment, enactment, or attainment of: plan a campaign.

  2. To have as a specific aim or purpose; intend: They plan to buy a house.

  3. To draw or make a graphic representation of.

v.   intr.
To make plans.

[French, alteration (influenced by plan, flat surface) of plant, ground plan, map, from planter, to plant, from Latin plantāre, from planta, sole of the foot; see plat- in Indo-European roots.]
plan'ner n.
Synonyms: These nouns denote a method or program in accordance with which something is to be done or accomplished: has no vacation plans; a blueprint for reorganizing the company; social conventions of human design; an urban-renewal project; a new scheme for conservation; a strategy for survival.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

plan  (n.)
1678, "drawing, sketch, or diagram of any object," from Fr. plan "ground plan, map," lit. "plane surface" (1553), from L. planum "level or flat surface," n. use of adj. planus "level, flat" (see plane (1)). The notion is of "a drawing on a flat surface." Meaning "scheme of action, design" is first recorded 1706, possibly infl. by Fr. planter "to plant," from It. planta "ground plan." The verb is first recorded 1728. Planned economy is attested from 1931. Planned Parenthood (1942) formerly was Birth Control Federation of America. Phrase planned obsolescence is attested from 1966. Planner "book or device that enables one to plan" is attested from 1971.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: plan
Function: noun
1 : a diagram of an area of land (as a subdivision) filed in the registry of deeds —see also PLOT PLAN
2 : a detailed program; especially : one made under chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code that places future earnings under the control of a trustee, provides for the payment of creditors, and is subject to approval by the creditors
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

plano- or plani- or plan-
pref.
Flat: planocellular.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Computing Dictionary

PLAN language
Programming LANguage Nineteen hundred.
The assembly language for ICL 1900 series computers.
(1995-03-21)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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Idioms & Phrases

plan

In addition to the idiom beginning with plan, also see best-laid plans.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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