plank Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a stout length of sawn timber; made in a wide variety of sizes and used for many purposes
    board.
  2. noun an endorsed policy in the platform of a political party
  3. verb cover with planks
    plank over.
    • The streets were planked
  4. verb set (something or oneself) down with or as if with a noise
    plop; plunk; plunk down; plonk; flump; plump; plump down.
    • He planked the money on the table
    • He planked himself into the sofa
  5. verb cook and serve on a plank
    • Planked vegetable
    • Planked shad

WordNet


Plank noun
Etymology
OE. planke, OF. planque, planche, F. planche, fr. L. planca; cf. Gr. , , anything flat and broad. Cf. Planch.
Definitions
  1. A broad piece of sawed timber, differing from a board only in being thicker. See Board.
  2. Fig.: That which supports or upholds, as a board does a swimmer.
    His charity is a better plank than the faith of an intolerant and bitter-minded bigot. Southey.
  3. One of the separate articles in a declaration of the principles of a party or cause; as, a plank in the national platform. Cant
Plank transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Planked ; present participle & verbal noun Planking
Definitions
  1. To cover or lay with planks; as, to plank a floor or a ship. "Planked with pine." Dryden.
  2. To lay down, as on a plank or table; to stake or pay cash; as, to plank money in a wager. Colloq. U.S.
  3. To harden, as hat bodies, by felting.
  4. (Wooden Manuf.) To splice together the ends of slivers of wool, for subsequent drawing.

Webster 1913