planking: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal (for the fad meaning); Technical/Formal (for construction meaning)
Quick answer
What does “planking” mean?
The act of lying face down in a rigid, straight position, often in an unusual public place, as a fad or performance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of lying face down in a rigid, straight position, often in an unusual public place, as a fad or performance.
1. The action of covering or fitting with planks (long, flat pieces of timber). 2. A form of exercise involving holding a rigid position similar to a push-up stance. 3. (Historical) A punishment involving being stretched over a plank.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The fad meaning originated and was equally popular in both regions. The construction term is standard in both.
Connotations
In both varieties, the fad meaning carries connotations of absurdity, youth culture, and transient internet trends. The construction term is neutral.
Frequency
Frequency of the fad meaning spiked around 2011 and has since declined, becoming a dated cultural reference. The construction meaning maintains steady, low frequency.
Grammar
How to Use “planking” in a Sentence
[Subject] was caught planking on [Location].The [Activity] involves planking for [Duration].They finished planking the [Structure].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “planking” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They spent the afternoon planking on various monuments for a laugh.
- The carpenter is planking the new garden deck.
American English
- He got in trouble for planking on the police car.
- We need to finish planking the floor before the weekend.
adverb
British English
- [Not standard. No adverbial form in common use.]
American English
- [Not standard. No adverbial form in common use.]
adjective
British English
- The planking trend was utterly bizarre.
- The planking exercise is brutal on the core.
American English
- That planking video went viral years ago.
- Check the planking schedule for the renovation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in discussions of viral marketing or fleeting social media trends.
Academic
Rare in formal papers. May appear in cultural studies analysing early 2010s internet phenomena.
Everyday
Most common for referring to the past fad or the core exercise. 'I did three minutes of planking at the gym.'
Technical
Standard in construction and carpentry: 'The planking of the ship's hull was completed.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “planking”
- Using 'planking' to mean 'planning'.
- Using the present continuous ('I am planking') to describe the fad activity as a general hobby rather than a specific instance.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the fad peaked around 2011 and is now considered a dated internet meme, though the exercise remains common.
The fad involved lying rigidly in public, often dangerously, for photos. The exercise is a static core strength hold done in a gym or home setting.
Yes, for both meanings: 'They were planking on a bench' (fad) and 'We are planking the patio' (construction).
It derives from the noun 'plank' (a long, flat piece of wood), metaphorically describing the body's stiff, straight, flat position.
The act of lying face down in a rigid, straight position, often in an unusual public place, as a fad or performance.
Planking is usually informal (for the fad meaning); technical/formal (for construction meaning) in register.
Planking: in British English it is pronounced /ˈplæŋkɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈplæŋkɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for 'planking' as a noun. The verb 'to walk the plank' is related idiomatically to the punishment sense.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PLANK of wood – stiff, straight, and flat. 'Planking' is pretending to be a human plank.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A RIGID OBJECT / PERFORMANCE IS CONSTRUCTION (laying down planks of behaviour).
Practice
Quiz
In a construction context, 'planking' most likely refers to: