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: a group of football players who are trained for either offense or defense and are sent into or withdrawn from the game as a body
platooned; platooning; platoons
: to play (one player) alternately with another player in the same position (as on a baseball team)
1
: to alternate with another player at the same position
2
: to use alternate players at the same position
Synonyms
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
Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 13 Sep. 2024
There’s Goudreau, whose stated idealism undeniably was only part of why he got involved with these various figures’ plot to send a platoon of dissidents into Caracas to topple the government — the fact he was offered over $200 million for the mission was certainly a huge part of it.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2024
Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2024
Vientos is expected to platoon with Brett Baty at third base, though manager Carlos Mendoza is hesitant to call it a straight platoon.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for platoon 
Noun
When Mina unleashed a platoon of ghouls on Purgatory, Wynonna & Co. successfully fought them off.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 13 Sep. 2024
There’s Goudreau, whose stated idealism undeniably was only part of why he got involved with these various figures’ plot to send a platoon of dissidents into Caracas to topple the government — the fact he was offered over $200 million for the mission was certainly a huge part of it.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2024
Verb
With Betts remaining at shortstop and Rojas on the verge of returning, veteran fill-in shortstop Nick Ahmed could be designated for assignment, and recently acquired utility man Amed Rosario and perhaps Rojas could platoon with Lux at second base.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2024
Vientos is expected to platoon with Brett Baty at third base, though manager Carlos Mendoza is hesitant to call it a straight platoon.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for platoon
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'platoon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near platoon
Cite this Entry
“Platoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platoon. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
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