1 plank | Definition of plank

plank

noun
\ ˈplaŋk How to pronounce plank (audio) \

Definition of plank

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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
2a : an article in the platform of a political party
b : a principal item of a policy or program

plank

verb
planked; planking; planks

Definition of plank (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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Synonyms for plank

Synonyms: Verb

flop, flump, plop, plump, plunk (or plonk)

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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

The shelves were just four pine planks on metal brackets, but the structure seemed towering to me as a toddler. Sarah Ruden, National Review, "Reading Like a Child," 12 Sep. 2019 Plans ranging from one to three bedrooms will have granite counters and subway tile in both the kitchens and bathrooms, stainless-steel appliances, brushed nickel hardware, washed oak vinyl plank flooring, garden tubs and private balconies. Katherine Feser, Houston Chronicle, "Allied Orion Group to build and manage luxury Katy apartment project," 10 Sep. 2019 The safety briefing, Rausch said, is done within the galley at the site of the escape hatch, a roughly two-feet by two-feet square plank of wood with no lock or latch on it. Los Angeles Times, "California boat fire: At least 15 bodies found, others remain missing," 2 Sep. 2019 From the school, convoys sallied forth every morning toward the half-dozen sawmills that lay beyond town, hidden behind high plank walls. Felipe Fittipaldi, National Geographic, "Inside the faltering fight against illegal Amazon logging," 28 Aug. 2019 All apartments have floor-to-ceiling windows, gray-tone plank flooring, full-size washers and dryers, solar shades and closet organizers. Pamela Dittmer Mckuen, chicagotribune.com, "West Loop’s 727 West Madison apartments play up elliptical design," 20 Aug. 2019 Wide-plank hickory hardwood flows throughout most of the home and travertine tiles are featured in the kitchen and family room. Monica Lander, The Mercury News, "Sponsored: Mountain views, access to Los Alamitos Trail enhance the ambience of this Graystone home," 10 July 2019 This plank-on-frame construction is relatively resilient to minor flooding, preservationists say. Cornelia Dean, New York Times, "‘We Cannot Save Everything’: A Historic Neighborhood Confronts Rising Seas," 8 July 2019 Guests had the option of checking their shoes in a cloakroom before a traipse over the sandy beach (with glasses of champagne in hand) to a makeshift wood-plank runway. Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, "Starry Crowd Gathers in Malibu for Saint Laurent's Mick Jagger-Inspired Men's Show," 7 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Most memes - from planking to Tide Pods - fizzle fast. Author: Logan Hill, Anchorage Daily News, "Is it OK to laugh at Florida Man?," 16 July 2019 Players who didn't run the hill, those sitting out Wednesday's practice and some others with previous knee injuries, spent the workout doing abdominal work like planking and crunches in front of the hill. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Lions observations: The dreaded conditioning hill, Stafford's latest pick," 31 July 2019 He’s been involved in record-setting attempts for planking, rope-skipping and stationary cycling. Jessie Spangler, Aurora Beacon-News, "West suburban fitness guru aims to set 2 planking records," 23 June 2018 And the ceiling is planked in random boards that don't even match the walls. Christine Pittel, House Beautiful, "Bill Ingram on Designing a Lake House Bathroom," 3 Oct. 2012 Records also noted that the schooner was built of southern yellow pine planking over white oak frames and was outfitted with a 13-foot-long centerboard that could be raised or lowered as needed to access shallow harbors. National Geographic, "Last American slave ship is discovered in Alabama," 22 May 2019 The other half, after the first few strokes, simply gave up and planked, sinking to the bottom. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Geckos’ new superpower is running on water; now we know how they do it," 6 Dec. 2018 Sip vintages in the cavernous cedar-planked warehouse of The Austin Winery. Condé Nast Traveler, "15 Best Things To Do in Austin," 4 Mar. 2018 When Aurora native and fitness instructor George Hood got off his platform after breaking two world records for planking Thursday, he was actually relieved to feel pain from head to toe. Jessie Spangler, Aurora Beacon-News, "A fitness instructor from Aurora has set 2 world records for planking," 30 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plank.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of plank

Noun

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

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for plank

Noun

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

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More Definitions for plank

plank

noun

English Language Learners Definition of plank

: a long, thick board that is used especially in building something
formal : one of the official beliefs and goals of an organization (such as a political party)

plank

noun
\ ˈplaŋk How to pronounce plank (audio) \

Kids Definition of plank

: a heavy thick board

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More from Merriam-Webster on plank

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with plank

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for plank

Spanish Central: Translation of plank

Nglish: Translation of plank for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of plank for Arabic Speakers