plan

I. plan¹ S1 W1 /plæn/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑plan, ↑planner, ↑planning; verb: ↑plan; adjective: planned ≠ ↑unplanned]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: 'drawing of a building at ground level'; partly from Latin planum 'level ground', partly from French planter 'to plant']
1. INTENTION something you have decided to do:
His plan is to get a degree in economics and then work abroad for a year.
Do you have any plans for the weekend?
There’s been a change of plan – we’re not going to Ibiza after all.
the best plan British English (=the best course of action)
Your best plan would be to take a taxi.
2. METHOD/ARRANGEMENT a set of actions for achieving something in the future, especially a set of actions that has been considered carefully and in detail
plan for
The chairman outlined the company’s plans for achieving a 10% growth in sales.
plan to do something
There are plans to turn the site of the factory into a park.
3. MAP a drawing similar to a map, showing roads, towns, and buildings
plan of
a street plan of London
4. DRAWING
a) technical a drawing of a building, room, or machine as it would be seen from above, showing the shape, size, and position of the walls, windows, and doors ⇨ ↑elevation(4), ↑section¹(7), ↑ground plan(1)
b) a drawing that shows exactly how something will be arranged:
I have to organise a seating plan for the dinner.
5. plan A, Plan A your first plan, which you will use if things happen the way you expect:
We’re going to find a restaurant and buy a meal. That’s Plan A.
6. plan B, Plan B your second plan, which you can use if things do not happen the way you expect:
It’s time to put Plan B into action.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ verbs
▪ have plans I have no plans to retire yet.
▪ change your plans We had to change our plans at the last minute.
▪ abandon/give up your plans The city authorities have abandoned their plans to host the Super Bowl.
▪ cancel your plans The weather got worse, and we had to cancel our plans to have the party outdoors.
▪ shelve a plan (=cancel your plan, although you may do it later) The plan had to be shelved because of lack of money.
■ phrases
▪ a change of plan The day before my flight, my boss phoned and said there’d been a change of plan.
■ adjectives
▪ sb’s immediate plans (=what they are going to do next) So what are your immediate plans after graduation?
▪ the best plan British English (=the best thing to do) I think the best plan is to take the train.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ have a plan Don’t worry – I have a plan.
▪ make plans (=prepare for something) Mary has been busy making plans for her wedding.
▪ come up with a plan (=think of a plan) The chairman must come up with a plan to get the club back on its feet.
▪ devise/formulate/draw up a plan (=make a detailed plan, especially after considering something carefully) He devised a daring plan to steal two million dollars. | The company has already drawn up plans to develop the site.
▪ carry out a plan (=do what has been planned) The bombers were arrested by the security forces before they could carry out their plans.
▪ keep to/stick to a plan We’re sticking to our original plan.
▪ abandon/scrap a plan (=decide not to continue with it) The plan was scrapped because it was too expensive.
▪ announce/unveil a plan (=officially tell people about it) The government unveiled its plans for a shake-up of the health system.
▪ approve a plan The plan was approved at a board meeting on 24 December.
▪ reject a plan The plan was rejected on the grounds that it would cost too much money.
▪ outline a plan (=describe it in a general way) They listened as he outlined his plan.
▪ implement a plan formal (=to do what has been agreed as part of an official plan) To implement its plans, the company has entered into a partnership with another software developer.
▪ shelve a plan (=not continue with it, although you might continue with it later) The plans will be shelved until an alternative access to the site can be found.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + plan
▪ ambitious The plan was very ambitious, but it worked.
▪ detailed The generals drew up detailed plans for the invasion.
▪ cunning/clever/ingenious They devised a cunning plan to get back their money. | The gang devised a cunning plan to rob the bank.
▪ a five-year/ten-year etc plan Unesco has a 25-year plan to provide basic education to all.
▪ a grand plan (=a plan that involves doing a lot of things in order to achieve something big) Marrying the countess was all part of his grand plan.
▪ a master plan (=a detailed plan for dealing with a complicated situation) The governors came up with a master plan for saving the school.
▪ a business plan We’ve developed a business plan to take over the company.
▪ a peace plan Both sides have agreed to implement the UN peace plan.
▪ a rescue plan (=a plan for saving a company, economy etc) Which rescue plan offers the company the best prospects of survival?
▪ an action plan My accountant developed a detailed action plan with specific targets.
■ phrases
▪ go according to plan (=happen in the way that was arranged) If everything goes according to plan, we’ll finish in January.
▪ a plan of action Ministers are discussing a plan of action to deal with the crisis.
▪ a plan of attack (=a plan to attack or achieve something) At this stage, you go back to the office and work on a plan of attack.
▪ a plan of campaign British English (=a plan to achieve something) What we need now is a plan of campaign.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say 'do a plan'. Say make a plan.
• • •
THESAURUS (for Meaning 2)
▪ plan a set of actions for achieving something in the future, especially a set of actions that has been considered carefully and in detail: Leaders outlined a plan to end the fighting.
▪ plot/conspiracy a secret plan to do something bad or illegal, made by a group of people: There was a plot to assassinate the President. | a terrorist conspiracy
▪ scheme British English an official plan that is intended to help people: The government has introduced a new scheme to help young people find work.
▪ strategy a carefully designed plan which is intended to achieve a particular purpose over a long period of time: the company’s business strategy | The government’s economic strategy has been criticized by many experts. | We need to develop effective strategies for combating the sale of counterfeit goods.
▪ initiative a new plan for dealing with a particular problem or for achieving a particular aim: a peace initiative | a major new initiative to tackle street crime
▪ policy a plan that members of a government, political party, company etc agree on, that states how they intend to deal with a particular subject or problem: the government’s immigration policy | It’s company policy to allow people to work from home.
▪ programme British English, program American English a series of activities that a government or organization organizes, which aims to achieve something important and will continue for a long time: a five-year programme which will create 2000 new jobs | federal programs for low-income housing

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

plan

plan [plan plans planned planning] noun, verb [plæn] [plæn]

noun

INTENTION
1. something that you intend to do or achieve
• ~ (for sth) Do you have any plans for the summer?
• ~ (to do sth) There are no plans to build new offices.
• Your best plan (= the best thing to do) would be to go by car.
• There's been a change of plan.

• We can't change our plans now.

ARRANGEMENT

2. a set of things to do in order to achieve sth, especially one that has been considered in detail in advance
• ~ (for sth) Both sides agreed to a detailed plan for keeping the peace.
• ~ (to do sth) The government has announced plans to create one million new training places.
• a development/business/peace, etc. plan
• a five-point plan
• a three-year plan
• We need to make plans for the future.
• a plan of action/campaign
• Let's hope everything will go according to plan.

see also master plan

MAP

3. a detailed map of a building, town, etc
• a plan of the museum

• a street plan of the city

DRAWING

4. usually plural ~ (for/of sth) (technical) a detailed drawing of a machine, building, etc. that shows its size, shape and measurements
• The architect is drawing up plans for the new offices.
• Plans for our extension have been submitted for approval.

compare elevation (⁴), ground plan

5. a diagram that shows how sth will be arranged
• a seating plan (= showing where each person will sit, for example at a dinner)

• a floor plan (= showing how furniture is arranged)

MONEY

6. (especially in compounds) a way of investing money for the future
• a savings plan
more at (it) sounds like a plan to me at sound _v.
Word Origin:
late 17th cent.: from French, from earlier plant ‘ground plan, plane surface’, influenced in sense by Italian pianta ‘plan of building’. Compare with plant.
Thesaurus:
plan noun
1. C
• The plan is to build new offices.
intention • • idea • • aim • • objective • • goal • • target • • purpose • • object • • end • |formal law intent •
the plan/intention/idea/aim/objective/goal/target/object is to do sth
sb's original plan/intention/idea/aim/objective/goal/target/purpose
have a/an plan/intention/idea/aim/objective/goal/target/purpose/object/end
Plan or intention? Your plans are what you have decided or arranged to do, often, but not always, in the longer term; your intentions are what you want to do, especially in the near future.
2. C
• The government has announced plans to create 50 000 new jobs.
policy • • proposal • • initiative • • strategy • • platform • • manifesto • |especially BrE scheme • |BrE programme • |AmE program •
a/an plan/policy/proposal/initiative/strategy/platform/manifesto/scheme/programme for sth
a/an plan/policy/proposal/initiative/strategy/scheme/programme to do sth
propose a plan/policy/strategy/scheme
have/adopt a plan/policy/proposal/strategy/scheme
3. C
• a street plan of the city
map •
on a plan/map
look at/consult a plan/map
a plan/map shows sth
4. C
• A spy stole the plans for the new aircraft.
design • • blueprint • • draft •
a plan/design/blueprint/draft of sth
a plan/design/blueprint for sth
draw up/produce a plan/design/draft
Synonyms:
purpose
aim • intention • plan • point • idea
These are all words for talking about what sb/sth intends to do or achieve.
purpose • what sth is supposed to achieve; what sb is trying to achieve: ▪ Our campaign's main purpose is to raise money.
aim • what sb is trying to achieve; what sth is supposed to achieve: ▪ She went to London with the aim of finding a job. ◊ ▪ Our main aim is to increase sales in Europe.
purpose or aim?
Your purpose for doing something is your reason for doing it; your aim is what you want to achieve. Aim can suggest that you are only trying to achieve sth; purpose gives a stronger sense of achievement being certain. Aim can be sb's aim or the aim of sth. Purpose is more usually the purpose of sth: you can talk about sb's purpose but that is more formal.
intention • what you intend to do: ▪ I have no intention of going to the wedding. ◊ ▪ She's full of ▪ good intentions ▪ but they rarely work out.
plan • what you intend to do or achieve: ▪ There are no plans to build new offices.
intention or plan?
Your intentions are what you want to do, especially in the near future; your plans are what you have decided or arranged to do, often, but not always, in the longer term.
point • (rather informal) the purpose or aim of sth: ▪ What's the point ▪ of all this violence? ◊ ▪ The point of the lesson is to compare the two countries.
idea • (rather informal) the purpose of sth; sb's aim: ▪ The whole idea of going was so that we could meet her new boyfriend. ◊ ▪ What's the idea ▪ behind this?
point or idea?
Point is a more negative word than idea. If you say What's the point…? you are suggesting that there is no point; if you say What's the idea…? you are genuinely asking a question. Point, but not idea, is used to talk about things you feel annoyed or unhappy about: There's no idea in… ◊ I don't see the idea of….
with the purpose/aim/intention/idea of doing sth
sb's intention/plan to do sth
to have a(n) purpose/aim/intention/plan/point
to achieve/fulfil a(n) purpose/aim
Example Bank:
• A new plan for reducing traffic accidents was unveiled.
• A spokeswoman confirmed there was no definite plan to stage a concert in the park.
• Do you have any contingency plans if the scheme doesn't work?
• Do you have any contingency plans if there is a delay?
• Even the best-laid plans can go wrong.
• I like to make plans well in advance.
• If Plan A fails, go to Plan B.
• Let's stick to our original plan
• Local residents have vowed to fight plans to build a new road.
• Plans are afoot to stage a new opera.
• Plans to build a dam have been shelved following protests.
• Senators signed a letter opposing the plan.
• Site plans were filed with the city this week.
• The airline intends to file a reorganization plan within three months.
• The best plan is for me to meet you at the airport.
• The government has ambitious plans for prison reform.
• The government launched a five-year plan aimed at diversifying the economy.
• The moves contravene the peace plan agreed by both sides.
• The plan calls for investments totalling $100 million.
• The plan calls for massive investment in the region.
• The plan contains four main elements.
• The plan shows the exact location of the house.
• The president will now press ahead with his plans for reform.
• The strike ruined my travel plans.
• To change anything in this organization, we'll need a plan of action.
• We need to develop a sound business plan.
• What are your immediate plans?
• What is their game plan for winning the election?
• a six-week low-fat eating plan
• a three-point action plan to improve hygiene at work
• plans for the future
• Do you have a plan of the museum?
• Enemy spies stole the plans for the new aircraft.
• He had no master plan in place before he started the project.
• He produced a plan of the house.
• How are your wedding plans coming along?
• It's a good idea to always have a plan B if your original plan falls through.
• Let's hope everything goes according to plan.
• Senior officials put forward a three-year plan.
• She drew some plans and elevations of the church's structure.
• The architect is drawing up plans for the new office.
• The corporation is pressing ahead with plans to build a new power station.
• The floor plan is very simple.
• The government has announced plans to create 50 000 new training places.
• The main markets were clearly marked on the plan.
• The peace plan was agreed at an international summit meeting.
• The plan shows where all the electrical points will go.
• The plan will be put into action within the next three months.
• The plans were made some time ago, but work on the building has not yet started.
• There's been a change of plan.
• They are working on an economic development plan.
• We asked for street plan of the city.
• We can't change our plans now.
• Who was responsible for the seating plan?
• You will need a clear and realistic business plan.
• Your best plan would be to go by car.
• a plan of action/campaign
• an action plan
Idiom: make a plan

Derived: plan something out

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

plan / plæn / noun (DECISION)

A2 [ C ] a set of decisions about how to do something in the future:

a company's business plan

a negotiated peace plan

a five-year plan

holiday plans

What are your plans for this weekend?

[ + to infinitive ] My plan is to hire a car when I arrive in America and travel about.

[ C ] a type of arrangement for financial investment:

a pension/savings plan

go according to plan to happen in the way you intend:

Events of this type rarely go according to plan.

Word partners for plan noun

have / make a plan • announce / outline / unveil a plan • approve / back / oppose / reject a plan • go ahead / press ahead with a plan • abandon / drop / shelve a plan • an ambitious / controversial / detailed / strategic plan • a plan of action • a plan for sth

plan / plæn / noun (DRAWING)

B2 [ C ] a drawing of a building, town, area, vehicle, machine, etc. which only shows its shape from above, its size, and the position of important details:

a street plan (= a type of map of a town showing the roads)

a seating plan (= a drawing which shows where each person will sit)

plans [ plural ] B2 drawings from which something is made or built:

The architect showed us the house plans that she had drawn up .

I'll send a set of plans for the new machine.

Word partners for plan noun

have / make a plan • announce / outline / unveil a plan • approve / back / oppose / reject a plan • go ahead / press ahead with a plan • abandon / drop / shelve a plan • an ambitious / controversial / detailed / strategic plan • a plan of action • a plan for sth

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

plan

[plæ̱n]
♦
plans, planning, planned
1) N-COUNT: usu with supp, also according to N A plan is a method of achieving something that you have worked out in detail beforehand.
  The three leaders had worked out a peace plan...
  The project is part of a United Nations plan for refugees.
  ...a detailed plan of action for restructuring the group...
  He maintains that everything is going according to plan.
  Syn:
  strategy
2) VERB If you plan what you are going to do, you decide in detail what you are going to do, and you intend to do it.
  [V wh] If you plan what you're going to eat, you reduce your chances of overeating...
  [V to-inf] He planned to leave Baghdad on Monday...
  [V for n] It would be difficult for schools to plan for the future...
  [V n] I had been planning a trip to the West Coast...
  [V-ed] A planned demonstration in the capital later today has been called off by its organisers.
3) N-PLURAL: usu with supp, oft N for n/-ing, N to-inf If you have plans, you are intending to do a particular thing.
  `I'm sorry,' she said. `I have plans for tonight.'...
  The Bonn government is making plans to evacuate more than two hundred of its citizens from the troubled area.
  Syn:
  arrangements
4) VERB When you plan something that you are going to make, build, or create, you decide what the main parts of it will be and do a drawing of how it should be made.
  [V n] It is no use trying to plan an 18-hole golf course on a 120-acre site if you have to ruin the environment to do it.
  Syn:
  design, think out
5) N-COUNT: oft N of/for n A plan of something that is going to be built or made is a detailed diagram or drawing of it.
  ...when you have drawn a plan of the garden.
6) → See also planning
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - plan on
  - plan out

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

¹plan /ˈplæn/ noun, pl plans
1 : a set of actions that have been thought of as a way to do or achieve something

[count]

• the President's economic plan
• the army's plan of attack
• We need to agree on a plan of action.
- often + for
• The partners created a business plan for their new store.
• The city has a ten-year plan for fixing the city's roads.

[noncount]

• Not everything at the show went according to plan. [=the way it was supposed to]
- see also game plan, master plan
2 : something that a person intends to do

[count]

• Our plan was to have the guests park on the street, not the lawn.
- often plural
• We would love to have dinner at your house Friday night, but we already have plans. [=we are already planning/expecting to do something else]
• They didn't want to change their vacation plans.
• We made plans to go out this Friday.

[noncount]

• When we met them at the restaurant, they said there had been a change of/in plan.
3 [count] : a detailed agreement for telephone service, medical care, insurance, etc.
• a health/medical plan [=an insurance program that pays for medical care]
• He changed his long-distance/calling plan.
• a tuition payment plan
• Her employer offers a great dental plan. [=insurance for dental care]
• a retirement plan
- see also installment plan, pension plan
4 [count] : a drawing that shows the parts or details of something (such as a building, town, machine, etc.)
• a street plan of Washington, D.C.
• a seating plan [=a drawing that shows the places where particular people will sit at a gathering]
- often plural
• The builder brought over the plans for their new house.
• The architect drew up plans for the office tower.
- see also floor plan