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
Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024
In Hillcrest, there’s opposition to plans to make Robinson and University avenues one-way streets.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2024
The lack of clarity continued for more than two weeks, leaving legislators, advocacy organizations and companies eagerly waited for the administration’s plan.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 29 May 2024
The consolidation proposal would have pivoted from the original plan voters had approved and gone toward combining campuses.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2024
The British royal family may be reducing their summer plans ahead of the country's upcoming general election, but Trooping the Colour remains on the calendar.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 29 May 2024
These approaches focus on personalized treatment plans and lifestyle modifications based on genetic predispositions and disease risks.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 28 May 2024
The amendment would also remove that current constitutional ban against public funding for abortions — in Medicaid or state employee health plans.
—Bente Birkeland, NPR, 28 May 2024
Juan Pablo Morales, an academic who helped develop Sheinbaum's plan, said the team are aware of the differences between Mexico City and the country as a whole but that many lessons from the capital can be applied nationally.
—Fox News, 28 May 2024
Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2024
In 2024, the Company plans to secure funding through various equity and debt instruments to allow the Company the ability to become base shelf eligible.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2024
And in February 2021, Belk left Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after one day, while planning to restructure and eliminate $450 million of debt.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2024
Mo Amer plans to change that Aug. 27, 2022
You co-write the original songs in the show with your siblings.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024
After the Ministry of Defense confirmed that the annual celebration of the monarch's birthday will go on as planned on June 15 despite the reduction in royal outings ahead of the U.K.'s election, it has been confirmed that King Charles will attend the event amid his cancer treatment.
—Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024
The company plans to set up a large business of storing greenhouse gases underground.
—Stanley Reed, New York Times, 29 May 2024
Paris plans to nearly double ticket prices for those buying new transport passes during the Olympics between July and September.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 29 May 2024
Neon is planning a North American theatrical release later this year.
—Selena Kuznikov, Variety, 18 May 2024
Noun
Rumors of the Lakers’ staffing plans have run throughout the league during the past two weeks, with some names most commonly mentioned including former head coach Scott Brooks and assistants Sam Cassell and Jared Dudley.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024
In Hillcrest, there’s opposition to plans to make Robinson and University avenues one-way streets.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2024
The lack of clarity continued for more than two weeks, leaving legislators, advocacy organizations and companies eagerly waited for the administration’s plan.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 29 May 2024
The consolidation proposal would have pivoted from the original plan voters had approved and gone toward combining campuses.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2024
The British royal family may be reducing their summer plans ahead of the country's upcoming general election, but Trooping the Colour remains on the calendar.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 29 May 2024
These approaches focus on personalized treatment plans and lifestyle modifications based on genetic predispositions and disease risks.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 28 May 2024
The amendment would also remove that current constitutional ban against public funding for abortions — in Medicaid or state employee health plans.
—Bente Birkeland, NPR, 28 May 2024
Juan Pablo Morales, an academic who helped develop Sheinbaum's plan, said the team are aware of the differences between Mexico City and the country as a whole but that many lessons from the capital can be applied nationally.
—Fox News, 28 May 2024
Verb
The letter sent by the lawmakers Wednesday asked how CBP and Border Patrol planned to implement the GAO report’s recommendations.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2024
In 2024, the Company plans to secure funding through various equity and debt instruments to allow the Company the ability to become base shelf eligible.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2024
And in February 2021, Belk left Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after one day, while planning to restructure and eliminate $450 million of debt.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2024
Mo Amer plans to change that Aug. 27, 2022
You co-write the original songs in the show with your siblings.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024
After the Ministry of Defense confirmed that the annual celebration of the monarch's birthday will go on as planned on June 15 despite the reduction in royal outings ahead of the U.K.'s election, it has been confirmed that King Charles will attend the event amid his cancer treatment.
—Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024
The company plans to set up a large business of storing greenhouse gases underground.
—Stanley Reed, New York Times, 29 May 2024
Paris plans to nearly double ticket prices for those buying new transport passes during the Olympics between July and September.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 29 May 2024
Neon is planning a North American theatrical release later this year.
—Selena Kuznikov, Variety, 18 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near plan
Cite this Entry
“Plan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plan. Accessed 3 Jun. 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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