1
: a drawing or diagram drawn on a plane: such as
a
: a top or horizontal view of an object
b
: a large-scale map of a small area
2
3
: an orderly arrangement of parts of an overall design or objective
4
: a detailed program (as for payment or the provision of some service)
pension plan
planned; planning
1
: to arrange the parts of : design
plan a new layout
2
: to devise or project the realization or achievement of
planned their escape
3
: to have in mind : intend
plans to leave soon
1
: to make plans
plan ahead
2
: to have a specified intention
—used with on
plans on going
Synonyms
Examples of plan in a Sentence
Noun
the army's plan of attack
We need to agree on a plan of action.
Our plan was to have the guests park on the street, not the lawn.
When we met them at the restaurant, they said there had been a change of plan.
He changed his long-distance plan.
Verb
We are busy planning the party.
The prisoners spent months planning their escape.
a teacher planning her next lesson
The students are planning a protest.
We have something very special planned for your birthday.
Their wedding is planned for June.
a planned series of books about cars
Things don't always go as planned.
Always remember to plan ahead.
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Green, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
But Valya’s plan seems to be going up in smoke with the arrival of Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel), a Corrino loyalist and survivor of what’s supposedly a Fremen attack on Arrakis.
—Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024
Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Make sure to plan some all-day sits during this window.
—Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for plan 
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Noun
When used effectively, surprise can shake an adversary’s confidence in its military plans and reinforce deterrence.
—Michael Green, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
But Valya’s plan seems to be going up in smoke with the arrival of Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel), a Corrino loyalist and survivor of what’s supposedly a Fremen attack on Arrakis.
—Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024
Verb
The Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group plans to continue to hold discussions with industry players into next year.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Make sure to plan some all-day sits during this window.
—Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for plan
Dictionary Entries Near plan
Cite this Entry
“Plan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plan. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
plan
1 of 2 noun1
: a drawing or diagram showing the parts or outline of something
2
: a method or scheme of acting, doing, or arranging
a civil defense plan
vacation plans
3
: goal sense 2, aim
our plan was to stop them at the bridge
plan
2 of 2 verb
planned; planning
1
: to form a plan of or for : to arrange the parts or details of ahead of time
plan a church
plan a party
2
: to have in mind : intend
3
: to make plans
planner
noun
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