plan
a scheme or method of acting, doing, proceeding, making, etc., developed in advance: battle plans.
a design or scheme of arrangement: an elaborate plan for seating guests.
a specific project or definite purpose: plans for the future.
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.
a representation of a thing drawn on a plane, as a map or diagram: a plan of the dock area.
(in perspective drawing) one of several planes in front of a represented object, and perpendicular to the line between the object and the eye.
a formal program for specified benefits, needs, etc.: a pension plan.
to arrange a method or scheme beforehand for (any work, enterprise, or proceeding): to plan a new recreation center.
to make plans for: to plan one's vacation.
to draw or make a diagram or layout of, as a building.
to make plans: to plan ahead; to plan for one's retirement.
Origin of plan
1synonym study For plan
word story For plan
The meaning “an organized proposal or scheme of action” first appeared in 1635; the more etymological meaning “a drawing or diagram of an object made by projection on a horizontal plane” appeared in 1664.
The earliest citation for “a formal program for specified benefits” is first recorded in 1912, with specific reference to a savings plan.
Other words for plan
Other words from plan
- planless, adjective
- plan·less·ness, noun
- mis·plan, verb, mis·planned, mis·plan·ning.
- outplan, verb (used with object), out·planned, out·plan·ning.
- o·ver·plan, verb, o·ver·planned, o·ver·plan·ning.
- pre·plan, verb, pre·planned, pre·plan·ning.
- re·plan, verb (used with object), re·planned, re·plan·ning.
- un·der·plan, verb (used with object), un·der·planned, un·der·plan·ning.
- un·plan, verb (used with object), un·planned, un·plan·ning.
- well-planned, adjective
Words that may be confused with plan
Other definitions for plan- (2 of 2)
variant of plano-1 before a vowel: planate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use plan in a sentence
Any plans to grow her exercise movement must, she insists, remain “completely organic.”
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze | Lizzie Crocker | January 9, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe U.S. only plans to train roughly 3,000 Iraqi troops in the first year.
Pentagon Insider on New Plan to Fight ISIS: ‘Of Course It’s Not Enough’ | Nancy A. Youssef | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTAndrew still plans to fly to Davos in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum on January 21, representing the British government.
Google itself has taken a break and put plans for mass production on hold.
You Were Wrong About Miley & Bitcoin: 2014’s Failed Predictions | Nina Strochlic | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTUndeterred by the snub in November, and denied a visa to Italy, Agca made plans for clandestine travel to Vatican City.
Pope-Shooter Ali Agca’s Very Weird Vatican Visit | Barbie Latza Nadeau | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
As he walked back to his hotel, his head was full of plans for the girl's transient pleasure and lasting benefit.
Rosemary in Search of a Father | C. N. WilliamsonHe laughed, with the fine air of one who sees approaching the fruition of long-cherished plans.
The Red Year | Louis TracyThe lovers, who had laid their plans the night before, were already strolling toward the wharf.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinUnfortunately for Punch's plans, it was decided that he should be sent to a day-school which Harry attended.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II | Rudyard KiplingYour indomitable bravery will suffice to frustrate the attempt to carry out their plans.
The Philippine Islands | John Foreman
British Dictionary definitions for plan
/ (plæn) /
a detailed scheme, method, etc, for attaining an objective
(sometimes plural) a proposed, usually tentative idea for doing something
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 (def. 1), elevation (def. 5)
an outline, sketch, etc
(in perspective drawing) any of several imaginary planes perpendicular to the line of vision and between the eye and object depicted
to form a plan (for) or make plans (for)
(tr) to make a plan of (a building)
(tr; takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to have in mind as a purpose; intend
Origin of plan
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with plan
In addition to the idiom beginning with plan
- plan on
also see:
- best-laid plans
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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