platinum

[ plat-n-uhm, plat-nuhm ]

noun

1. Chemistry. a heavy, grayish-white, highly malleable and ductile metallic element, resistant to most chemicals, practically unoxidizable except in the presence of bases, and fusible only at extremely high temperatures: used for making chemical and scientific apparatus, as a catalyst in the oxidation of ammonia to nitric acid, and in jewelry. : Pt; : 195.09; : 78; : 21.5 at 20°C.
2. a light, metallic gray with very slight bluish tinge when compared with silver.

adjective

1. made of platinum.
2. (of an audio recording) having sold a minimum of one million copies.

platinum

/ ˈplætɪnəm /

noun

1. a ductile malleable silvery-white metallic element, very resistant to heat and chemicals. It occurs free and in association with other platinum metals, esp in osmiridium: used in jewellery, laboratory apparatus, electrical contacts, dentistry, electroplating, and as a catalyst. Symbol: Pt; atomic no: 78; atomic wt: 195.08; valency: 1–4; relative density: 21.45; melting pt: 1769°C; boiling pt: 3827±100°C
2. 1. a medium to light grey colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      a platinum carpet

platinum

/ plăt′n-əm /

1. A soft, ductile, malleable, silver-white metallic element that usually occurs with osmium, iridium, palladium, or nickel. It has a high melting point and does not corrode in air. Platinum is used as a catalyst and in making jewelry, electrical contacts, and dental crowns. Atomic number 78; atomic weight 195.08; melting point 1,772°C; boiling point 3,827°C; specific gravity 21.45; valence 2, 3, 4.
2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of platinum¹

1805–15; < New Latin, alteration of earlier platina < Spanish; platina

Word History and Origins

Origin of platinum¹

C19: New Latin, from platina , on the model of other metals with the suffix -um

Example Sentences

“Tidal,” rocket-boosted by these controversies, went triple platinum.

From Washington Post

His 1987 debut album, “Richard Marx,” went ­triple-platinum, and his first ­single, “Don’t Mean Nothing,” reached No.

From Washington Post

The platinum helps break the carbon-hydrogen bonds in the polyethylene.

From Science News For Students

It was certified platinum by June 2016, and reached triple platinum status the same month, three years later.

From Essence.com

She was a teenager with one full-length release to her credit — 2006’s platinum-selling “Taylor Swift,” a winsome country album with crossover aspirations.

From Washington Post

Eventually, she did—more or less—reinventing herself as Nicki Minaj and becoming a platinum-selling hip-hop superstar.

From The Daily Beast

He also earned a Grammy and platinum record for “Up Where We Belong.”

From The Daily Beast

Delta is a Platinum Global Partner, ranking them among the highest-level contributors to the association.

From The Daily Beast

Well, Beyoncé Platinum is rumored to include a remix featuring the singer.

From The Daily Beast

A platinum plan pays 90 percent of costs; gold plans pay 80 percent; silver plans pay 70 percent; bronze pay 60 percent.

From The Daily Beast

We've got to get that platinum shipment off the C-49 and get into communication with headquarters at Deliphon somehow.

From Project Gutenberg

Though small, each box was extremely heavy, being loaded with a fortune in platinum bars.

From Project Gutenberg

Colloidal platinum in water is negative, in a mixture of water and alcohol, positive.

From Project Gutenberg

Colloidal preparations of platinum, silver and many other metals may be prepared in the same way.

From Project Gutenberg

Brass—or-molu—gilt platinum to give it weight; this is from Birmingham, not from Australia, nor nature.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• gold
• iron
• metal
• mineral