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plan Definition

plan (plan)

noun

  1. a drawing or diagram showing the arrangement in horizontal section of a structure, piece of ground, etc.
    1. a scheme or program for making, doing, or arranging something; project, design, schedule, etc.
    2. a method of proceeding
  3. any outline or sketch
  4. in perspective, any of several planes thought of as perpendicular to the line of sight and between the eye and the object

Etymology: Fr, plan, plane, foundation: merging of plan (< L planus: see plain) with MFr plant < It pianta < L planta, sole of the foot: see plant

transitive verb planned, plan′·ning

  1. to make a plan of (a structure, piece of ground, etc.)
  2. to devise a scheme for doing, making, or arranging
  3. to have in mind as a project or purpose

intransitive verb

to make plans

plan Synonyms

plan

n.

  1. A preliminary sketch

    draft, diagram, map, chart, delineation, time line, design, blueprint, outline, representation, form, drawing, view, projection, rough draft, road map*; see also design 1, sketch 1.

  2. A proposed sequence of action

    scheme, project, design, outline, program, idea, conception, flow chart, projection, undertaking, method, system, tactics, procedure, treatment, intention, purpose, proposal, policy, course of action, plot, conspiracy, strategy, stratagem, arrangement, way of doing things, itinerary, prospectus, blueprint, schema, scenario, game plan*; see also program 2, purpose 1.

  3. Arrangement

    layout, method, disposition; see order 3.

plan refers to any detailed method or program, formulated beforehand, for doing or making something vacation plans; design stresses an intention to achieve a desired effect and implies the use of skill or craft, sometimes in an unfavorable sense, in arranging this it was his design to separate us; project suggests an ambitious or extensive plan calling for enterprise or effort, and may refer either to the proposal or to the final outcomea research project; scheme often connotes either an impractical, visionary plan or an underhanded intrigue a scheme to embezzle the funds

plan Synonyms

plan

v.

  1. To plot an action in advance

    prepare, scheme, devise, invent, outline, project, contrive, shape, design, map, plot, form a plan, think out, engineer, figure on, figure for, intrigue, conspire, frame, concoct, steer one's course, set guidelines, establish parameters, work up, work out, line up, plan an attack, come through, calculate on, be at, make arrangements, put up a job, reckon on, ready up, take measures, lay in provisions, bargain for, cook up*, fix to*, fix for*, pack the deal*, bore from within*, dope out*, put on ice*.

  2. To arrange in a preliminary way

    outline, draft, sketch, lay out, map out, organize, prepare a sketch, chart, map, draw, trace, design, illustrate, depict, delineate, represent, shape, preprint, chalk out, rough in, block out, block in.

  3. To have in mind

    propose, think, purpose; see intend 1.

plan Usage Examples

Object

permission: The field shelters near Waterloo Bridge do not need planning permission.

Converse of object

  • announce: David Blunkett, the Minister for the Interior, announces plans to introduce an identity card.
  • prepare: Development Plan: The Highland Structure Plan along with any of the Local Plans prepared by The Highland Council.
  • implement: The trustees agreed to implement an action plan to address the Commission's findings.
  • approve: The Council holds prudent levels of reserves and has approved plans for their use.
  • develop: We are now in the process of working with Sky to develop detailed campaign plans for two shortlisted options.
  • devise: They also directed NATO's military wing to devise a plan to assist them.

Adjective modifier

  • strategic: The design for the development has emerged from the university's strategic development plan for its Plymouth campus.
  • ambitious: And, equally, whether they want to go on supporting the retailer's ambitious expansion plans.
  • detailed: Have a look at the detailed plans of the ship or have a go at the quiz!
  • future: In yesterday's London Evening Standard ( UK ), Sir Steve on the future Olympic plans.
  • corporate: The Corporate Plan will be approved by the Council in February 2004.
  • five-year: Between them, the people in that room drafted what amounted to a five-year business plan.

Noun used with modifier

  • action: Why not re-launch your Local Compact, a new action plan or launch a Local Code of good practice?
  • lesson: At KS1 and 2 there are individual lesson plans for a variety of subjects.
  • contingency: Once the initial crisis has been dealt with, we will work with clients to provide a longer-term contingency plan.
  • business: Like any company, Network Rail will need to produce a business plan.
  • NHS: Pharmacy in the future - implementing the NHS plan This is a program for pharmacy in the National Health Service in England.

Preposition: of

salvation: God had a plan of salvation from the moment that sin entered the world.

Preposition: for

future: Again, we need a plan for the economic future of our area.