plot

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a small area of planted ground
a vegetable plot
b
: a small piece of land in a cemetery
c
: a measured piece of land : lot
2
3
: the plan or main story (as of a movie or literary work)
4
[perhaps back-formation from complot] : a secret plan for accomplishing a usually evil or unlawful end : intrigue
5
: a graphic representation (such as a chart)
plotless adjective
plotlessness noun

plot

2 of 2

verb

plotted; plotting

transitive verb

1
a
: to make a plot, map, or plan of
b
: to mark or note on or as if on a map or chart
2
: to lay out in plots (see plot entry 1 sense 1)
3
a
: to locate (a point) by means of coordinates
b
: to locate (a curve) by plotted points
c
: to represent (an equation) by means of a curve so constructed
4
: to plan or contrive especially secretly
5
: to invent or devise the plot of (something, such as a movie or a literary work)

intransitive verb

1
: to form a plot : scheme
2
: to be located by means of coordinates
the data plot at a single point
Choose the Right Synonym for plot

plot, intrigue, machination, conspiracy, cabal mean a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end.

plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

synonyms see in addition plan

Examples of plot in a Sentence

Noun Her books are page-turners, and yet there is more going on in them than just the mechanics of a clever plot Robin McKinley, New York Times Book Review, 17 May 1987
… as he stood before the great dripping department store which now occupied the big plot of ground where once had stood both the Amberson Hotel and the Amberson Opera House. Booth Tarkington, The Magnificent Ambersons, 1918
When I returned with the pistol the table had been cleared, and Holmes was engaged in his favourite occupation of scraping upon his violin. "The plot thickens," he said, as I entered … Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet, 1887
The plots are selling for $15,000 per acre. They just bought a 12-acre plot of land. The book's plot revolves around a woman who is searching for her missing sister. The movie has a weak plot. Police uncovered a plot to assassinate the prime minister. The prime minister was the target of an assassination plot. Verb While men plotted wars or devised philosophies, women were confined within their homes … Barbara Ehrenreich, Ms., Winter 2007
Would-be nation builders plotted Italy's unification from the south and the north. David Van Biema, Time, 4 Sept. 2000
They plotted to steal the painting. She spent her years in prison plotting her revenge. We've been plotting growth strategies for the company. She carefully plotted her career path. They've plotted the locations where the trees will be planted. Have you plotted the route for your trip yet? Students plotted soil temperatures on a graph throughout the school year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Every story mission has its big set pieces, specific battles, and decisions to be made that will impact the overall plot. Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2024 As Vivian explained to her henchman, this plot is in Stefan’s best interest. Andy Swift, TVLine, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
For decades, investors have been unsuccessfully plotting to expand this quiet town of just 8,275 residents and its sole lodge, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, into a large-scale, year-round luxury destination to rival Breckenridge and Whistler. Rachel Dube, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2024 The exec believes Terrifier 3, set at Christmas, will play through the year-end holiday and is plotting a special Christmas Eve event. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for plot 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plot.' 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 and Verb

Middle English, from Old English

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of plot was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near plot

Cite this Entry

“Plot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plot. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

plot

1 of 2 noun
1
: a small area of ground : lot
a cemetery plot
2
: a plan of a floor of a building
3
: the main story (as of a literary work or movie)
4
: an evil or unlawful scheme
5

plot

2 of 2 verb
plotted; plotting
1
a
: to make a plot, map, or plan of
b
: to mark, note, or locate on a map or chart
plot a ship's position
2
: to plan especially secretly : scheme
3
a
: to locate and mark (a point) by means of coordinates
b
: to make (a curve) by marking out a number of plotted points
plotter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on plot

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