american plan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-mediumFormal/Technical (within hospitality/tourism)
Quick answer
What does “american plan” mean?
A hotel rate that includes meals (typically full board: breakfast, lunch, and dinner) in addition to accommodation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A hotel rate that includes meals (typically full board: breakfast, lunch, and dinner) in addition to accommodation.
Primarily a North American hospitality industry term for an all-inclusive meal plan at hotels and resorts, contrasting with 'European Plan' (room only). Historically, it could also refer to a specific system of factory management or production, but this usage is now obsolete.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is primarily American. In British English, the equivalent concept is typically described as 'full board' or 'all-inclusive' (if drinks are included), not 'American plan'.
Connotations
In the US, it is a standard, neutral industry term. In the UK, using the term might sound like an Americanism or a direct reference to the US hotel industry.
Frequency
Frequent in US hotel descriptions and travel agencies; very rare in UK everyday language. A British speaker would likely say 'full board'.
Grammar
How to Use “american plan” in a Sentence
The hotel offers the American plan.We booked our stay on the American plan.The rate is based on the American plan.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “american plan” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The full-board option is more expensive.
- They have an all-inclusive package.
American English
- We chose the American-plan rate.
- It's an American-plan resort.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in hotel contracts, rate sheets, and tourism marketing materials.
Academic
Rare; might appear in historical texts about tourism or hospitality management.
Everyday
Used by travelers when discussing hotel booking options, mainly in North America.
Technical
A standard term in the global hospitality industry for categorizing meal plans.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “american plan”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “american plan”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “american plan”
- Confusing it with 'all-inclusive' (which usually includes drinks and activities).
- Using it in non-hospitality contexts.
- Capitalizing it inconsistently (American Plan vs. american plan).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, no. The American Plan traditionally includes meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), but beverages, especially alcoholic ones, are usually extra. This contrasts with some 'all-inclusive' resorts that include drinks.
The American Plan is a type of all-inclusive meal plan. 'All-inclusive' is a broader term that often includes snacks, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), activities, and entertainment, whereas 'American Plan' specifically denotes three meals per day.
The term itself is less common, but the concept (full board) is available worldwide. In international contexts, hotels familiar with American tourists may use the term, but 'full board' is more universally understood.
The common abbreviations in the industry are AP (American Plan) and MAP (Modified American Plan, which usually includes breakfast and dinner only).
A hotel rate that includes meals (typically full board: breakfast, lunch, and dinner) in addition to accommodation.
American plan is usually formal/technical (within hospitality/tourism) in register.
American plan: in British English it is pronounced /əˈmɛr.ɪ.kən plæn/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈmɛr.ɪ.kən plæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On the American plan”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: In America, the plan includes ALL the classic American meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Conceptual Metaphor
PLAN AS A PACKAGE (A bundle of services offered as a single product).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is an antonym of 'American Plan' in the hotel industry?