Plan
Pronunciation
- IPA: /plæn/
- GenAm IPA: plɛən
- Rhymes: -æn
Origin
From French plan ("a ground-plot of a building"), from plan ("flat"), a later form of the vernacular plain, from Latin planus ("flat, plane"); see plain, plane.
Full definition of plan
Noun
plan
(plural plans)- A drawing showing technical details of a building, machine, etc., with unwanted details omitted, and often using symbols rather than detailed drawing to represent doors, valves, etc.The plans for many important buildings were once publicly available.
- A set of intended actions, usually mutually related, through which one expects to achieve a goal.He didn't really have a plan; he had a goal and a habit of control.
- A two-dimensional drawing of a building as seen from above with obscuring or irrelevant details such as roof removed, or of a floor of a building, revealing the internal layout; as distinct from the elevation.Seen in plan, the building had numerous passageways not apparent to visitors.
- A method; a way of procedure; a custom.
- WordsworthThe simple plan,
That they should take who have the power,
And they should keep who can.
Usage notes
A plan ("set of intended actions") can be developed, executed, implemented, ignored, abandoned, scrapped, changed, etc.
Synonyms
- drawing of a building from above: floor plan
Derived terms
Related terms
- (2-dimensional drawing of a building) blueprint
Verb
- (transitive) To design (a building, machine, etc.).The architect planned the building for the client.
- (transitive) To create a plan for.They jointly planned the project in phases, with good detail for the first month.
- (intransitive) To intend.
- 2013-08-10, Can China clean up fast enough?, It has jailed environmental activists and is planning to limit the power of judicial oversight by handing a state-approved body a monopoly over bringing environmental lawsuits.
- He planned to go, but work intervened.
- See plan on.I was planning on going, but something came up.
- (intransitive) To make a plan.They planned for the worst, bringing lots of emergency supplies.
Usage notes
This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. See