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• master plan
  master plan

  noun

  a general plan or program for achieving an objective.
• master-plan
  master-plan

  verb (used with object)

  to construct a master plan for.

master plan

¹ American  

noun

1. a general plan or program for achieving an objective.

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master-plan ² American  

[mas-ter-plan, mah-ster-] / ˈmæs tərˌplæn, ˈmɑ stər- /

verb (used with object)

master-planned, master-planning

1. to construct a master plan for.

   to master-plan one's career.

2. to develop or improve (land, a community, a building complex, or the like) through a long-range plan that balances and harmonizes all elements.

   The engineers master-planned the island to provide for increases in the tourist population.

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master plan British  

noun

1. a comprehensive long-term strategy

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Etymology

Origin of master plan

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Among the agreements signed on Wednesday was a framework for a Vietnam-South Korea "master plan on cooperation in science, technology and innovation".

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

Unlike other parts of the Neom master plan that were scaled back last year before much physical building took place, Trojena was years into construction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

I don’t have a master plan to answer your question.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

His son-in-law Jared Kushner, who has no official title but is one of Trump's envoys for the Gaza ceasefire, said his "master plan" aimed for "catastrophic success".

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

Cleopatra was a key player in Mark Antony’s master plan for finally gaining total control.

From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby

Related Words

• blueprint
• scheme