plane

1 of 6

noun (1)

1
a
[by shortening] : airplane
b
: one of the main supporting surfaces of an airplane
2
a
: a surface in which if any two points are chosen a straight line joining them lies wholly in that surface
b
: a flat or level surface
3
: a level of existence, consciousness, or development
on the intellectual plane

plane

2 of 6

verb (1)

planed; planing

transitive verb

1
a
: to make smooth or even : level
b
: to make smooth or even by use of a plane
2
: to remove by or as if by planing
often used with away or off

intransitive verb

1
: to work with a plane
2
: to do the work of a plane
planer noun

plane

3 of 6

noun (2)

: a tool for smoothing or shaping a wood surface

Illustration of plane

Illustration of plane
  • 3plane

plane

4 of 6

noun (3)

: any of a genus (Platanus of the family Platanaceae, the plane-tree family) of chiefly deciduous trees with large palmately lobed leaves, flowers in globose heads, and usually scaling bark

called also buttonwood, plane tree, sycamore

plane

5 of 6

verb (2)

planed; planing

intransitive verb

1
a
: to fly while keeping the wings motionless
b
: to skim across the surface of the water
2
: to travel by airplane

plane

6 of 6

adjective

1
: having no elevations or depressions : flat
2
a
: of, relating to, or dealing with geometric planes
b
: lying in a plane
a plane curve
Choose the Right Synonym for plane

level, flat, plane, even, smooth mean having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities.

level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

Examples of plane in a Sentence

Noun (1) a plane flew overhead Verb (1) planed the wood for the picnic table perfectly smooth so that no one would get splinters Verb (2) an eagle planed effortlessly overhead, gliding on an air current Adjective you can do these tracings on any plane surface
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.
Noun
Leff said certain challenges could come up when attempting to take a burger into the air, such as reheating the patty in the plane galley. Sydney Borchers, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024 Air and Space The 10 most expensive domestic plane tickets in America Many of these routes average more than $400 a trip one-way By Start Slideshow Start Slideshow Flying was long thought of as a luxury beyond the reach of the average American. Melvin Backman, Quartz, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
Lionsgate has several festivities planed including special events, anniversary screenings, new experiences, and new collectible merchandise, culminating in the release of Ballerina: From the World of John Wick next year on June 6. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024 But other residents want the initiative to move ahead as planed, asserting that the changes will make the corridor safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2024
Adjective
Plus this episode also delivers peak unhinged Lex while he's stranded on an island post-plane crash and suffering from malaria, which leads to a moment that teases his natural killer instincts that he's kept so well hidden from Clark, and the world, so far. Christian Holub, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2021 But those cars were powered by pushrod engines with conventional cross-plane cranks. Rich Ceppos, Car and Driver, 2 Oct. 2022 See all Example Sentences for plane 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Latin planum, from neuter of planus level

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French planer, from Late Latin planare, from Latin planus level — more at floor

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin plana, from planare

Noun (3)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin platanus, from Greek platanos; probably akin to Greek platys broad — more at place

Verb (2)

Middle English, from Middle French planer, from plain level, plain

Adjective

Latin planus

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plane was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near plane

Cite this Entry

“Plane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plane. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

plane

1 of 5 verb
planed; planing
1
: to make smooth or level especially with a plane
2
: to remove by planing
often used with away or off
planer noun

plane

2 of 5 noun
: a tool for smoothing or shaping wood

plane

3 of 5 noun
1
a
: a surface in which a straight line joining any two points on the surface also lies completely on the surface
b
: a flat or level surface
2
: a level of existence or development
on the intellectual plane
3
a
: one of the main supporting surfaces of an airplane
b

plane

4 of 5 adjective
1
: having no elevations or depressions : flat
2
a
: of, relating to, or dealing with planes
plane geometry
b
: lying within a plane
a plane curve

plane

5 of 5 verb
planed; planing
1
: to fly while keeping the wings still
2
: to travel by airplane
Etymology

Verb

Middle English planen "to make smooth or level," from early French planer (same meaning), derived from Latin planus "level" — related to plain entry 1

Adjective

from Latin planus "level"

Verb

from French planer "to fly while keeping the wings motionless," from plain "level, plain"; so called from the fact that the wings of a soaring bird form a level surface

Medical Definition

plane

noun
1
a
: a surface that contains at least three points not all in a straight line and is such that a line drawn through any two points in it lies wholly in the surface
b
: an imaginary plane used to identify parts of the body or a part of the skull see frankfort horizontal plane, midsagittal plane
2
: a stage in surgical anesthesia
a light plane of anesthesia is maintained with cyclopropaneThe Journal of the American Medical Association

More from Merriam-Webster on plane

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