plan Definition

plan
noun

1. A thought-out arrangement or method for doing something.

Thesaurus: scheme, method, design, plot, strategy, project.
2. Intentions

Example: What are your plans for today?
Form: plans (usually)
3. A sketch, outline, scheme or set of guidelines.
4. A large-scale detailed drawing or diagram of a floor of a house, the streets of a town, etc done as though viewed from above. Often in compounds.

Example: floor plan
Example: street plan
Thesaurus: blueprint, diagram, map, chart, sketch, illustration.

verb planned, planning

1. To devise a scheme for it.

Thesaurus: plot, prepare, scheme, devise, contrive, engineer, concoct, conspire, organize.
Form: plan for something (also)
2. To make preparations or arrangements for it.

Form: plan for something (also)
intr
3. To prepare; to make plans.

Example: plan ahead
4. To intend or expect it.

Thesaurus: have in mind, propose, intend, mean, foresee, envisage, contemplate.
Form: plan on something (also)
5. To draw up plans for (eg a building); to design.

Thesaurus: outline, draft, sketch, map, chart, trace, illustrate, delineate, represent, rough out, block out.

Idiom: not plan on something (not plan for something)

Not to reckon on or allow for it; to be surprised or embarrassed by it.
Example: had not planned on all of them coming when I ordered the wine

Etymology: 17c: French, meaning ‘ground plan', from Latin planus flat.