platoon

1 of 2

noun

pla·​toon plə-ˈtün How to pronounce platoon (audio)
pla-
1
: a subdivision of a company-sized military unit normally consisting of two or more squads or sections
2
: a group of persons sharing a common characteristic or activity
a platoon of waiters
especially : a group of football players who are trained for either offense or defense and are sent into or withdrawn from the game as a body

platoon

2 of 2

verb

platooned; platooning; platoons

transitive verb

: to play (one player) alternately with another player in the same position (as on a baseball team)

intransitive verb

1
: to alternate with another player at the same position
2
: to use alternate players at the same position

Examples of platoon in a Sentence

Noun will need a platoon of assistants to mount the display at the spring flower show
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Mendoza and Garland co-wrote Warfare based on the former’s experience in the Iraq War, with the script informed by interviews with the real members of Mendoza’s platoon. Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025 Jon Singleton could become the primary first baseman or perhaps form a platoon with Zach Dezenzo, whose path to a roster spot would be wide open if Walker must miss time. Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
Joe and Heyward, who are expected to platoon in left field, are guaranteed $1 million each. John Perrotto, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 The right-handed hitting Rafaela could start in center against lefties with Duran playing left, and perhaps Rob Refsnyder could also platoon with Abreu in right field as well. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for platoon

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French peloton small detachment, literally, ball, from Middle French pelote little ball — more at pellet

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1963, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of platoon was circa 1547

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Platoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platoon. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

platoon

noun
pla·​toon
plə-ˈtün,
pla-
1
: a part of a military company consisting of two or more squads
2
: a group of football players sent into or withdrawn from the game as a body

More from Merriam-Webster on platoon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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