| plankton |
free-floating, usu. microscopic plant and animal life found in fresh or salt water. |
| planner |
a person who plans, esp. one who plans the development of cities and towns. [2 definitions] |
| planning |
the act of figuring out how to do something ahead of time. |
| plant |
a living organism of the vegetable group. [10 definitions] |
| plantain1 |
a fruit similar to but larger, firmer, and less sweet than the banana, usu. cooked as a starchy vegetable. [2 definitions] |
| plantation |
an area of land for cultivating plants or trees, or a group of cultivated plants or trees. [3 definitions] |
| plaque |
a flat plate or tablet, usu. inscribed and used as a decorative hanging or as a commemorative. [3 definitions] |
| plasma |
the clear, liquid part of lymph or blood in which cells are suspended. [4 definitions] |
| plaster |
a paste of sand, lime or gypsum, or the like, and water that hardens when it dries, used esp. to cover walls and ceilings. [4 definitions] |
| plastic |
any of numerous synthetic substances, usu. organic polymers, that can be easily shaped when soft and then hardened, and that are widely used as industrial and domestic materials and finished products. [5 definitions] |
| plate |
a flat, round dish from which food is served or eaten, or the food on such a dish. [10 definitions] |
| plateau |
an elevated, relatively level area of land. [3 definitions] |
| plate tectonics |
(used with a sing. verb) the geologic theory that the earth's crust consists of several independent plates floating on semiliquid magma, whose constant motion is the cause of continental drift, volcanic eruption, and the like. |
| platform |
a level, raised surface used as a place to work, perform, or speak to an audience. [6 definitions] |
| platinum |
a chemical element that has seventy-eight protons in each nucleus and that occurs in pure form as a dense, highly malleable, lustrous silvery white solid metal, used as a catalyst, in a variety of alloys, and in making jewelry. (symbol: Pt) [2 definitions] |
| platoon |
a military unit of two or more squads or sections, usu. commanded by a lieutenant and having its own headquarters. [6 definitions] |
| platter |
a large shallow dish used for serving food. [3 definitions] |
| platypus |
an egg-laying mammal of Australia and Tasmania that has webbed feet for swimming, a broad, horny bill like that of a duck, and a long, flat tail, and that lives in and near water. |
| play |
a composition written for the stage; drama. [22 definitions] |
| player |
one who takes part in a game or sport. [3 definitions] |
| playful |
cheerfully energetic. [2 definitions] |