plank

1 of 2

noun

ˈplaŋk 

1

a

: a heavy thick board

especially : one 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) thick and at least 8 inches (20 centimeters) wide

b

: an object made of a plank or planking

c

: planking

d

: an exercise in which a prone person balances on the toes and forearms while holding the rest of the body up and off the ground

Do two to three sets of these moves two days a week: push-ups (work up to 25) to build chest, shoulder and triceps strength; plank (support your body on your forearms and toes for up to 60 seconds) to build ab and back strength …

—Selene Yeager

Start with basic moves like sit-ups, planks, and lunges …

—Oprah Magazine

2

a

: an article in the platform of a political party

b

: a principal item of a policy or program

plank

2 of 2

verb

planked; planking; planks

transitive verb

1

: to cover, build, or floor with planks

2

: to set down forcefully

—usually used with down

3

: to cook and serve on a board

planked salmon

planked steak

Synonyms

Verb

• flop
• flump
• plop
• plump
• plunk
• plonk

Examples of plank in a Sentence

Noun

Before the convention, there was debate over the foreign policy and economic planks.

Verb

planked the carton down on the counter and left

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Phelan prefers the old-fashioned approach using ropes, slings, pulleys and a bosun's chair – initially just a short wooden plank held up by ropes, now more elaborate and safer work seats. —Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024

Try using connected wood planks for a boardwalk-style feature, or simplify woodscaping even further and simply add a wood mulch path. —Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2024

Verb

The only wreckage recovered at the time was part of a starboard bow planking, a stateroom door, a panel from the promenade deck, and a few air tanks. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 2 Apr. 2024

New are grilled Maine eel over broken rice, and baby Pennsylvania rainbow trout planked like fresh sardines. —Florence Fabricant, New York Times, 28 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French plaunke, planche, from Latin planca

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing plank

• walk the plank

Kids Definition

plank

1 of 2 noun

ˈplaŋk 

1

: a wide heavy thick board

2

: an item in the list of beliefs and goals of a political party

plank

2 of 2 verb

1

: to cover or floor with planks

2

: to set down forcefully

planked the book on the table

3

: to cook and serve on a board

planked steak