platform
noun
plat·form
ˈplat-ˌfȯrm 
plural platforms
1
a
: a flat horizontal surface that is usually higher than the adjoining area: such as
(1)
: a raised flooring (such as a stage or dais)
… a great stack of chairs piled up on and about the musicians' platform …—
Joseph Conrad
Joseph ConradFrom this official table on a raised platform … , Robert Thomas, the show's chairman, directs operations …—Liz Horwitt
Liz Horwitt
(2)
: an elevated area next to railroad tracks for the boarding of trains
The platform was crowded with waiting passengers.
b
: a device or structure incorporating or providing a platform
a viewing platform
specifically
: such a structure on legs used for offshore drilling (as for oil)
2
: a declaration of the principles on which a group of persons stands
especially
: a declaration of principles and policies adopted by a political party or a candidate
the Republican/Democratic platform
She's running (for office) on a platform of reform.
3
: a means or opportunity to communicate ideas or information to a group of people
The event provides a platform for Latino artists, writers and creators in the comic book industry.—Sonia Ramirez
Sonia Ramirez… a new understanding among the young of how celebrity now works, and the power of a personal brand as a marketing platform.—Strawberry Saroyan
Strawberry Saroyan4
: the grounds or basis for further action
The company used the innovation as a platform for future growth.
5
a
or platform sole plural platform soles
: a usually thick layer (as of cork) between the inner sole and outer sole of a shoe
b
or platform shoe plural platform shoes
: a shoe having such a sole
6
computing
a
: operating system
also
: the computer architecture and equipment using a particular operating system
b
: an application or website that serves as a base from which a service is provided
music streaming platforms
… has built a cloud-computing platform for use by others.—The Economist
The Economist… billions of photos scraped from Facebook and other social media platforms.—C. J. Ciaramella
C. J. Ciaramella7
a
: a vehicle (such as a satellite or aircraft) used for a particular purpose or to carry a usually specified kind of equipment
b
: a basic pattern (such as the chassis) upon which an automobile or class of automobiles is constructed
Based on the platform of Fiat's upmarket Alfa Romeo Giulietta, though wider and longer for American roads, it's all in all a much sexier compact than anything Chrysler has ever designed.—Bill Saporito
Bill Saporito
Examples of platform in a Sentence
He stepped up onto the platform and looked out into the audience.
She stepped off the train onto the platform.
Our train is boarding on platform 6.
The party adopted a new platform.
The company plans to use the show as a platform to launch the new soft drink.
Recent Examples on the Web
In some cases, the ads platform misinformation, according to labor experts.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 15 Apr. 2024
But the courthouse also offers Trump a powerful platform from which to communicate with his base.
—Erik Larson and Patricia Hurtado Bloomberg News (tns), arkansasonline.com, 15 Apr. 2024
Girls O’clock is a social media platform for women’s watches but with a fashion lens.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2024
That soon transformed into a pop culture spectacle affording a giant platform to acts across genres, where up-and-comers are placed under a bright spotlight while the biggest names on the Billboard charts have a chance to pull off their craziest stunts.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 15 Apr. 2024
Oprah wore a pair of relaxed white cargo pants with a navy and white striped button-down blouse and platform sneakers while traveling in Japan, while Witherspoon set sail in a cool pair of cropped kick flare white jeans and a coordinating cozy sweater.
—Jennifer Chan, Peoplemag, 14 Apr. 2024
Peter Spalding of the designer furniture sourcing platform Daniel House Club notes that imitations of Chippendale and other legacy-style pieces — think cabinets and wingback chairs, for example — were common in the ‘80s and early ’90s.
—Kim Cook, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024
In a statement on social media platform X, the interior ministry said seven helicopters and more than 500 rescue workers were carrying out rescue efforts.
—Reuters, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024
This is why recent grad Basant Shenouda went back to basics, combining the insight offered by social media platforms with good, old-fashioned hand-shaking.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024
Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 15 Apr. 2024
But the courthouse also offers Trump a powerful platform from which to communicate with his base.
—Erik Larson and Patricia Hurtado Bloomberg News (tns), arkansasonline.com, 15 Apr. 2024
Girls O’clock is a social media platform for women’s watches but with a fashion lens.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2024
That soon transformed into a pop culture spectacle affording a giant platform to acts across genres, where up-and-comers are placed under a bright spotlight while the biggest names on the Billboard charts have a chance to pull off their craziest stunts.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 15 Apr. 2024
Oprah wore a pair of relaxed white cargo pants with a navy and white striped button-down blouse and platform sneakers while traveling in Japan, while Witherspoon set sail in a cool pair of cropped kick flare white jeans and a coordinating cozy sweater.
—Jennifer Chan, Peoplemag, 14 Apr. 2024
Peter Spalding of the designer furniture sourcing platform Daniel House Club notes that imitations of Chippendale and other legacy-style pieces — think cabinets and wingback chairs, for example — were common in the ‘80s and early ’90s.
—Kim Cook, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024
In a statement on social media platform X, the interior ministry said seven helicopters and more than 500 rescue workers were carrying out rescue efforts.
—Reuters, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024
This is why recent grad Basant Shenouda went back to basics, combining the insight offered by social media platforms with good, old-fashioned hand-shaking.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'platform.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Platform.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platform. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
platform
noun
plat·form
ˈplat-ˌfȯrm
1
: a declaration of the beliefs and goals of a political party or candidate
2
a
: a level usually raised surface
a railroad station platform
b
: a raised floor or stage for performers or speakers
3
: a thick sole for a shoe or a shoe with such a sole
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