Phrase guide

master plan

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A comprehensive document that sets out an overall strategy; the strategy itself.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A small-scale graphic outline that shows all the major elements of a project.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: architecture

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

a long-term outline of a project or government function

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the zoning board adopted a master plan for the new development

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: plan, program, programme

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

18 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: yleissuunnitelma — a comprehensive document that sets out an overall strategy
  • French: plan directeur — a comprehensive document that sets out an overall strategy
  • German: Gesamtkonzept — a comprehensive document that sets out an overall strategy
  • German: Masterplan — a comprehensive document that sets out an overall strategy
  • German: Rahmenplan — a comprehensive document that sets out an overall strategy
  • Hebrew: תכנית אב (tokhnít-áv) — a comprehensive document that sets out an overall strategy
  • Indonesian: rencana induk — a comprehensive document that sets out an overall strategy
  • Malay: rancangan induk — a comprehensive document that sets out an overall strategy
  • Polish: plan generalny — a comprehensive document that sets out an overall strategy
  • Swahili: mpango mkuu — a comprehensive document that sets out an overall strategy
  • Finnish: yleissuunnitelma — a graphic outline that shows all the major elements of a building project
  • German: Bauleitplan — a graphic outline that shows all the major elements of a building project
  • German: Bebauungsplan — a graphic outline that shows all the major elements of a building project
  • German: Generalplan — a graphic outline that shows all the major elements of a building project
  • German: Hauptbebauungsplan — a graphic outline that shows all the major elements of a building project
  • German: Raumordnung — a graphic outline that shows all the major elements of a building project
  • Russian: генера́льный план (generálʹnyj plan) — a graphic outline that shows all the major elements of a building project
  • Russian: генпла́н (genplán) — a graphic outline that shows all the major elements of a building project