plan definition | Dictionary.com

plan

[plan]

noun, verb, planned, plan⋅ning.

–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 )

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

plan (plān) Pronunciation Key
n.

A scheme, program, or method worked out beforehand for the accomplishment of an objective: a plan of attack.
A proposed or tentative project or course of action: had no plans for the evening.
A systematic arrangement of elements or important parts; a configuration or outline: a seating plan; the plan of a story.
A drawing or diagram made to scale showing the structure or arrangement of something.
In perspective rendering, one of several imaginary planes perpendicular to the line of vision between the viewer and the object being depicted.
A program or policy stipulating a service or benefit: a pension plan.

v. planned, plan·ning, plans

v. tr.

To formulate a scheme or program for the accomplishment, enactment, or attainment of: plan a campaign.
To have as a specific aim or purpose; intend: They plan to buy a house.
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 © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

plan
noun
1.	a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished; "they drew up a six-step plan"; "they discussed plans for a new bond issue"
2.	an arrangement scheme; "the awkward design of the keyboard made operation difficult"; "it was an excellent design for living"; "a plan for seating guests" [syn: design]
3.	scale drawing of a structure; "the plans for City Hall were on file"
verb
1.	have the will and intention to carry out some action; "He plans to be in graduate school next year"; "The rebels had planned turmoil and confusion"
2.	make plans for something; "He is planning a trip with his family"
3.	make or work out a plan for; devise; "They contrived to murder their boss"; "design a new sales strategy"; "plan an attack"
4.	make a design of; plan out in systematic, often graphic form; "design a better mousetrap"; "plan the new wing of the museum" [syn: design]

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

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 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
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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Free On-line Dictionary of Computing - Cite This Source - Share This

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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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Plan

Plan\, n. [F., fr. L. planus flat, level. See Plain, a.]

1. A draught or form; properly, a representation drawn on a plane, as a map or a chart; especially, a top view, as of a machine, or the representation or delineation of a horizontal section of anything, as of a building; a graphic representation; a diagram.

2. A scheme devised; a method of action or procedure expressed or described in language; a project; as, the plan of a constitution; the plan of an expedition.

God's plans like lines pure and white unfold. --M. R. Smith.

3. A method; a way of procedure; a custom.

The simple plan, That they should take who have the power, And they should keep who can. --Wordsworth.

Body plan, Floor plan, etc. See under Body, Floor, etc.

Syn: Scheme; draught; delineation; plot; sketch; project; design; contrivance; device. See Scheme.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Plan

Plan\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Planned; p. pr. & vb. n. Planning.]

1. To form a delineation of; to draught; to represent, as by a diagram.

2. To scheme; to devise; to contrive; to form in design; as, to plan the conquest of a country.

Even in penance, planning sins anew. --Goldsmith.