plane

1 of 6

noun (1)

ˈplān

Synonyms of plane next

[by shortening] : airplane

: one of the main supporting surfaces of an airplane

: a surface in which if any two points are chosen a straight line joining them lies wholly in that surface

: a flat or level surface

: a level of existence, consciousness, or development

on the intellectual plane

plane

2 of 6

verb (1)

planed; planing

transitive verb

: to make smooth or even : level

: to make smooth or even by use of a plane

: to remove by or as if by planing

—often used with away or off

intransitive verb

: to work with a plane

: to do the work of a plane

planer noun

plane

3 of 6

noun (2)

: a tool for smoothing or shaping a wood surface

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

: to fly while keeping the wings motionless

: to skim across the surface of the water

: to travel by airplane

plane

6 of 6

adjective

: having no elevations or depressions : flat

: of, relating to, or dealing with geometric planes

: 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

Example Sentences

Adjective you can do these tracings on any plane surface

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

If the justice chartered the plane himself, the cost could have exceeded $100,000 one way. —

Justin Elliott, Joshua Kaplan and Alex Mierjeski, Anchorage Daily News, 22 June 2023 There was speculation that knocking noises picked up by a Canadian search plane could have been signs of life from the crew. —

Katharina Menne, Scientific American, 22 June 2023 As a result, these planes have four first-class rows. —

Angelika Pokovba, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2023 At 4 pm, a group of passengers was quickly shuttled into a small rickety plane in Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, eager to head to Charlotte, North Carolina, to catch our connecting flights back to our homes. —

Dominique Fluker, Essence, 22 June 2023 Dubai Style Luis Manuel Barrajon, marketing director of ACJ Americas, confirmed that 9H-FIVE is the first ACJ TwoTwenty to fly, with the plane being purchased from and operated by Comlux. —

Antonia Windsor, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 June 2023 From suitcases to backpacks, the brand makes the most gorgeous bags in neutral colors that look good with just about any plane outfit. —

Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 21 June 2023 Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito reportedly took an undisclosed luxury vacation at an Alaska fishing lodge and flew on a private plane that was paid for by a GOP megadonor who was later had cases before the top court. —

Dave Goldiner New York Daily News (tns), al, 21 June 2023 The two sides have seen multiple dangerous military interactions in recent months, including a near collision of warships in the Taiwan Strait and a close Chinese interception of an American reconnaissance plane over the South China Sea. —

Simone McCarthy, CNN, 20 June 2023

Verb

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is planing to file a lawsuit to obtain West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice's official schedule and calendar, according to a letter the committee is sending the Republican governor's general counsel on Monday, shared first with NBC News. —

Bridget Bowman, NBC News, 15 May 2023 Ice is first scraped and planed across three or four acres near the house, then [sawed] into blocks or cakes 22 by 32 inches, and in some places 44 inches square. —

Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2023 Jointers plane the edge smooth and flat. —

Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 14 Dec. 2022 Wally worked with naval architect Laurent Giles to create a running surface that offers strong fuel efficiency and range in displacement mode, but can plane to a speed of 21 knots, or 24.1 mph, with its four Volvo Penta IPS engines. —

Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2021

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 Instead, the Project GTP Hypercar’s engine, as Road & Track points out, sounds much more like a classic American V-8 with a cross-plane crank. —

Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 13 July 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plane.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Plane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plane. Accessed 9 Jul. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

plane

1 of 5 verb

ˈplān

planed; planing

: to make smooth or level especially with a plane

: 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

: a surface in which a straight line joining any two points on the surface also lies completely on the surface

: a flat or level surface

: a level of existence or development

on the intellectual plane

: one of the main supporting surfaces of an airplane

: airplane

plane

4 of 5 adjective

: having no elevations or depressions : flat

: of, relating to, or dealing with planes

plane geometry

: lying within a plane

a plane curve

plane

5 of 5 verb

planed; planing

: to fly while keeping the wings still

: 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

ˈplān

: 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

: an imaginary plane used to identify parts of the body or a part of the skull see frankfort horizontal plane, midsagittal plane

: a stage in surgical anesthesia

a light plane of anesthesia is maintained with cyclopropane—

Journal of the American Medical Association