Definition

1. Noun:

   • A long, flat piece of timber, thicker than a board: A stout, heavy piece of sawn wood used in construction and flooring.
   • A fundamental point of a political or other program: A principle or policy that forms part of the platform of a group, especially a political party.

2. Verb:

   • To set or throw down heavily or abruptly: To put something down with force or a noticeable sound.
   • To cover or floor with long, flat pieces of wood: To provide a surface with planks.
   • To cook and serve on a plank: A method of cooking, especially fish or meat, by baking or broiling it on a wooden board.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The old bridge was made of sturdy oak planks.
  • A key plank of their election platform was tax reform.

• Verb:

  • He planked the heavy toolbox onto the workbench.
  • They decided to plank the entire deck.
  • The restaurant is famous for its planked salmon.

Advanced Usage

• "To walk the plank": A historical idiom meaning to be forced to walk off a plank extending over the side of a ship into the sea, as a form of execution or punishment by pirates. Figuratively, it means to be forced to resign or accept a doomed situation.
  • The CEO felt he was being made to walk the plank for the company's failures.

Variants and Related Words

• Planking (n): The act of laying planks; also, the planks collectively.
  • The planking of the ship's hull was complete.
• Plank-like (adj): Resembling a plank in being long, flat, and stiff.
  • He lay in a plank-like position.

Synonyms

• Noun (for timber): Board, timber, beam.
• Noun (for policy): Principle, tenet, point, provision.
• Verb (for setting down): Slam, flump, plunk.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Plank down (informal): To pay money, especially immediately and decisively.
  • He just planked down the cash for the new car.
• Plank out (rare): To lay out or arrange with planks.

Related Idioms

• As thick as two short planks (BrE, informal): A humorous idiom describing someone as very stupid.
  • Don't ask him for advice; he's as thick as two short planks.

Noun

1. an endorsed policy in the platform of a political party
2. a stout length of sawn timber; made in a wide variety of sizes and used for many purposes

Verb

1. cook and serve on a plank
   • Planked vegetable
   • Planked shad
2. set (something or oneself) down with or as if with a noise
   • He planked the money on the table
   • He planked himself into the sofa
3. cover with planks
   • The streets were planked