plunk down

verb

plunked down or plonked down; plunking down or plonking down; plunks down

intransitive verb

: to drop abruptly : settle into position

transitive verb

1
a
: to put down usually firmly or abruptly
plunked the items down on the counter
b
: to settle (oneself) into position
plunked himself down on the bench
2
: to pay out
reluctant to plunk down the money for a new car

Examples of plunk down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Preorders start today, and interested buyers who live in California — and apparently only California — can plunk down a refundable $200 deposit to get in line to buy one. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 7 Jan. 2025 On the sweltering night of Aug. 22, 2022, Hollis is plunked down on a seat outside the back door of the station near Daniel Taveras, who was popped driving into his own neighborhood. Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025 In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ended the federal ban on plunking down cash to pick winners and losers and spreads and place all kinds of exotic prop bets, leading to a rush of states, now 38 and counting, to get in the game. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Dec. 2024 The resort features four pools (three of which are heated and one that is open seasonally), all of which make for an ideal spot to plunk down for a day or even a whole vacation. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for plunk down 

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of plunk down was in 1891

Dictionary Entries Near plunk down

Cite this Entry

“Plunk down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plunk%20down. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on plunk down

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!