plank

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Sports

n. an exercise where you hold your body straight and still while balancing on your hands or arms.

n. an isometric core strength exercise that involves maintaining a position similar to a push-up for the maximum possible time.

“She held a plank for two minutes as part of her morning workout.”

“Incorporating a three-minute plank into your daily routine can significantly improve core stability and posture.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Formal

n. one of the main points or ideas in a political party's plan.

n. a fundamental component of a political platform or a specific policy within a party's programme.

“Improving the healthcare system was a central plank of their election campaign.”

“The proposed tax reform served as the primary plank of the opposition's economic strategy during the televised debate.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun British English · Informal · Slang

n. a person who is very silly or not very smart.

n. a slang term for a person perceived as stupid or dim-witted.

“He forgot his keys for the third time this week—what a plank.”

“I felt like a total plank when I realized I had been arguing against a point that everyone else had already agreed on.”

C2 · Proficiency Informal

v. to lie flat and stiff like a board in a strange place for a photo.

v. to perform the act of lying face down with a stiff body in an unusual or public location as a stunt.

“A few years ago, it was a popular trend to plank on top of famous statues.”

“The fad of planking in precarious locations eventually faded after several high-profile incidents involving public safety.”