planking

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

The practice of lying face down with arms to the sides, in unusual public spaces, and taking photographs to record the act.

Register: slang

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

First, there was planking. People taking pictures of themselves in a planked position and putting the photos on the Internet.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “planking” mean?

The practice of lying face down with arms to the sides, in unusual public spaces, and taking photographs to record the act.

Is “planking” formal or informal?

planking is generally slang.