Planning — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈpla-niŋ/ plan·ning

Meaning & Definition of Planning

Planning (noun)

  1. the act or process of making or carrying out plans; specifically, the establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit

Planning (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to work out the details of (something) in advance

    "we planned the school dance down to the smallest detail"

    similar: arranging, blueprinting, budgeting, calculating, charting, choreographing, designing, framing, laying out, mapping (out), organizing, preparing, projecting, scheming (out), shaping, strategizing (about)
    related: conspiring, contriving, devising, intriguing, machinating, plotting, putting up, concerting, getting up, drafting, outlining, sketching, aiming, figuring, having on, intending, meaning, contemplating, meditating, premeditating

  2. to have in mind as a purpose or goal

    "I plan to have a party for my birthday, even if I have to throw it myself"

    similar: aiming, allowing (chiefly Southern & Midland), aspiring, calculating, contemplating, designing, going (chiefly Southern & Midland), intending, looking, meaning, meditating, proposing, purporting, purposing, figuring on
    related: dreaming, hoping, wishing, considering, debating, mulling (over), pondering, attempting, endeavoring, striving, struggling, trying, plotting, scheming, accomplishing, achieving, effecting, executing, performing

Related Entry: Plan (verb)

Plan is a different word from Planning. The synonyms below are for plan, not for planning.

  1. to work out the details of (something) in advance

    "we planned the school dance down to the smallest detail"

    similar: arrange, blueprint, budget, calculate, chart, choreograph, design, frame, lay out, map (out), organize, prepare, project, scheme (out), shape, strategize (about)
    related: conspire, contrive, devise, intrigue, machinate, plot, put up, concert, get up, draft, outline, sketch, aim, figure, have on, intend, mean, contemplate, meditate, premeditate

  2. to have in mind as a purpose or goal

    "I plan to have a party for my birthday, even if I have to throw it myself"

    similar: aim, allow (chiefly Southern & Midland), aspire, calculate, contemplate, design, go (chiefly Southern & Midland), intend, look, mean, meditate, propose, purport, purpose, figure on
    related: dream, hope, wish, consider, debate, mull (over), ponder, attempt, endeavor, strive, struggle, try, plot, scheme, accomplish, achieve, effect, execute, perform

Related Entry: Game plan (noun)

Game plan is a different word from Planning. The synonyms below are for game plan, not for planning.

  1. a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective

    "what's our game plan for touring the city?"

    similar: arrangement, blueprint, design, game, ground plan, master plan, plan, program, project, road map, scheme, strategy, system
    related: collusion, conspiracy, plot, contrivance, device, gambit, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, subterfuge, trick, counterplan, counterstrategy, means, tactic, technique, way, procedure, protocol, conception, idea, projet, proposal, specific(s), specification(s), aim, intent, intention, purpose, diagram, formula, layout, map, pattern, platform, policy, recipe, setup

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Planning

The most common words with a similar meaning to Planning:

Chiefly Southern & Midland: allowing, going
arranging, blueprinting, budgeting, calculating, charting, choreographing, designing, framing, laying out, mapping (out), organizing, preparing, projecting, scheming (out), shaping, strategizing (about), aiming, aspiring, contemplating, intending, looking, meaning, meditating, proposing, purporting, purposing, figuring on

Related Words for Planning

conspiring, contriving, devising, intriguing, machinating, plotting, putting up, concerting, getting up, drafting, outlining, sketching, figuring, having on, premeditating, dreaming, hoping, wishing, considering, debating, mulling (over), pondering, attempting, endeavoring, striving, struggling, trying, scheming, accomplishing, achieving

Origin & Etymology of Planning

First known use: 1730

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Planning

Words & Phrases Containing Planning

city planning, family planning, natural family planning

Frequently Asked Questions about Planning

What does "Planning" mean?

"Planning" means the act or process of making or carrying out plans; specifically, the establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: the act or process of making or carrying out plans; specifically, the establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Planning"?

Other words for "Planning" include arranging, blueprinting, budgeting, calculating, charting, choreographing, designing and framing. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Planning" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Planning"?

There are 62 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Planning". Common alternatives include arranging, blueprinting, budgeting, calculating, charting, choreographing, designing, framing, laying out and mapping (out).

How do you use "Planning" in a sentence?

Examples of "Planning" in a sentence: "we planned the school dance down to the smallest detail"; "I plan to have a party for my birthday, even if I have to throw it myself".

Is "Planning" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Planning" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Planning" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Planning" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Planning"?

"Planning" is pronounced /ˈpla-niŋ/ and divided into syllables as plan·ning.

What is the origin of the word "Planning"?

First known use: 1730.