26984 words

plot

18 definitions • 24 examples
1
the story of a book, film, play, etc.:

Examples:

The movie has a very simple plot.
The plots of his books are basically all the same.
2
a secret plan made by several people to do something that is wrong, harmful, or not legal, especially to do damage to a person or a government:

Examples:

The plot was discovered before it was carried out.
[ + to infinitive ] The police have foiled a plot to assassinate the president.
3
a small piece of land that has been marked or measured for a particular purpose:

Examples:

a vegetable plot
There are several plots of land for sale.
4
a diagram or chart
5
to mark or draw something on a piece of paper or a map
6
to make marks to show the position, movement, or development of something, usually in the form of lines or curves between a series of points on a map or piece of paper:

Examples:

Radar operators plotted the course of the incoming missile.
We've plotted our projected costs for the coming year, and they show a big increase.
7
to make a secret plan to do something wrong, harmful, or illegal:

Examples:

The army is plotting the overthrow of the government.
I can't believe that he's plotting against his own father.
[ + to infinitive ] They're plotting (together) to take over the company.
8
to make a secret plan to do something funny or enjoyable to or for someone:

Examples:

[ + to infinitive ] They're plotting to play a trick on their brother.
He's plotting a surprise party for his wife's birthday.
9
to write the plot for something:

Examples:

So far I've only plotted (out) the story in a rough form.
10
a secret plan to do something that is wrong, harmful, or illegal:

Examples:

The police discovered a plot to rob the bank.
11
the plan or main story of a book, film, play, etc.:

Examples:

The novel has a complicated plot that is sometimes difficult to follow.
12
a small piece of land that has been marked or measured for a particular purpose:

Examples:

a garden plot
13
to mark a paper or use a computer to show the position of a number or represent a solution to an equation (= mathematical statement) and create a graph (= drawing)
14
To plot something is also to mark or draw lines showing a route on a piece of paper or a map, or to put numbers on a piece of paper to show how amounts are related:

Examples:

He plotted a course between Hawaii and Tahiti.
We measured and plotted the amounts of chemicals that were released in the countryside.
15
a small piece of land that is intended for a particular purpose:

Examples:

The building plot was valued at £160,000.
We are planning to develop a plot of land adjacent to the park.
16
to mark or draw something on a piece of paper or a map:

Examples:

The software system makes it possible to plot the exact location of sales vehicles.
17
to make marks to show the position, movement, or development of something, usually in the form of lines or curves between a series of points on a piece of paper:

Examples:

We provide a two-dimensional graph where you can plot the current location of your organization and then identify the desired point to which you would like the organization to move.
18
to make a secret plan to do something:

Examples:

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