platform

[ plat-fawrm ]

/ ˈplæt fɔrm /

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See synonyms for: platform / platforms on Thesaurus.com

noun

a horizontal surface, or structure with a horizontal surface, raised above the level of the surrounding area.

a raised flooring or other horizontal surface, such as a stage for use by public speakers, performers, etc., in a hall or meeting place.

a place for public discussion; forum.

the raised area between or alongside the tracks of a railroad station, from which the cars of the train are entered.

the open entrance area, or the vestibule, at the end of a railroad passenger car.

a landing in a flight of stairs.

a public statement of the principles, objectives, and policy of a political party, especially as put forth by the representatives of the party in a convention to nominate candidates for an election: The platform contained the usual platitudes.

a body of principles on which a person or group takes a stand in appealing to the public; program; policy: The Fabians developed an all-embracing platform promising utopia.

a system of religious principles or doctrines.

a decklike construction on which the drill rig of an offshore oil or gas well is erected.

Digital Technology.

Also plat·form busi·ness mod·el . a business model that facilitates financial, social, collaborative, or other connections between large networks of producers and consumers, typically through digital technology infrastructure: Rather than providing a product or service to a consumer, as a producer would, the value contribution of a platform is the strength and scale of its network.

Building Trades. a relatively flat member or construction for distributing weight, as a wall plate, grillage, etc.

Military.

solid ground on which artillery pieces are mounted.
a metal stand or base attached to certain types of artillery pieces.

Nautical. flat¹ (def. 42a).

a flat, elevated piece of ground.

Geology. a vast area of undisturbed sedimentary rocks that, together with a shield, constitutes a craton.

a thick insert of leather, cork, or other sturdy material between the uppers and the sole of a shoe, usually intended for stylish effect or to give added height.
Also plat·form shoe . a shoe with such an insert.

OTHER WORDS FOR platform

2 stage, dais, rostrum, pulpit.

8 manifesto, party line, tenets; course of action, plan of action.

See synonyms for platform on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of platform

First recorded in 1540–50; earlier platte forme, from Middle French: literally, “flat form, plane figure”; see plate¹, form

OTHER WORDS FROM platform

plat·form·less, adjective

Words nearby platform

plate shop, plate tectonics, plate tracery, plate up, plateware, platform, platform bed, platform car, platform frame, platform game, platform rocker

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use platform in a sentence

The platform is designed to track cannabis from seed to sale with a deep focus on compliance.
Canix aims to ease cannabis cultivators’ regulatory bookkeeping|Matt Burns|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch
In fact, it’s one of the most popular ways to advertise products and business on the platform.
What you must know about TikTok for business|Connie Benton|September 17, 2020|Search Engine Watch
The Yelp report makes the shocking statement that 60% of businesses on the platform, that closed since March, are now permanently closed.
Facebook Business Suite is a new cross-app management tool for SMBs|Greg Sterling|September 17, 2020|Search Engine Land
As the platform has changed over the last decade, so has the publisher’s understanding of what works.
How The Economist has tripled the number of subscribers driven by LinkedIn|Lucinda Southern|September 14, 2020|Digiday

Facebook Shop has onboarded major e-commerce platforms, such as Shopify, to enable small businesses to feature products for direct purchase via in-feed ads.
The race to frictionless consumer journeys is expanding beyond marketplaces|acuityads|September 10, 2020|Digiday
Kickstarter is one start-up platform that seems to have realized the danger.
Design Your Own Dinosaur: The Era of Custom DNA|Justin Jones|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He created his own crowd-funding platform for genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which has yet to be launched.
Design Your Own Dinosaur: The Era of Custom DNA|Justin Jones|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And it must make sure that the platform of debate where we can freely exchange ideas is safe and sound.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive|Ayaan Hirsi Ali|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
People using it effectively opened a secret channel on an a public platform.
The Monsters Who Screamed for Dead Cops|Jacob Siegel|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Think of the embarrassing subway platform or mid-office “adjustment” debacles you could avoid!
Would You Pay $100 For a 50 Cent Bulge? Men’s Undies Get Expensive|James Joiner|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A gentleman got out of a carriage before it stopped, and fell between the rail and the platform.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
Analysis and practice in preparation are the steps over which we must climb to the platform of power.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
No, Jack is not much to look at, except when he wakes up—I have seen him quite transfigured on the platform.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
In the next place, as I can find no other persons who will come forward on my platform, I am bound to offer myself everywhere.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 107, November 3, 1894|Various
When I am an old maid I am going to mount the platform and preach the training of the voice in childhood.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton

British Dictionary definitions for platform

platform

/ (ˈplætfɔːm) /

noun

a raised floor or other horizontal surface, such as a stage for speakers

a raised area at a railway station, from which passengers have access to the trains

See drilling platform, production platform

the declared principles, aims, etc, of a political party, an organization, or an individual

a level raised area of ground

the thick raised sole of some high-heeled shoes
(as modifier)platform shoes

a vehicle or level place on which weapons are mounted and fired

a specific type of computer hardware or computer operating system

Word Origin for platform

C16: from French plateforme, from plat flat + forme form, layout

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for platform

platform

[ plăt′fôrm′ ]

The basic technology of a computer system's hardware and software, defining how a computer is operated and determining what other kinds of software can be used. Additional software or hardware must be compatible with the platform.

The part of a continent's craton (the ancient, relatively undisturbed portion of a continental plate) that is covered by flat or nearly flat strata of sediment.

Cultural definitions for platform (1 of 2)

platform

A political party's or candidate's written statement of principles and plans. A platform is usually developed by a committee at the party convention during a presidential campaign.

Cultural definitions for platform (2 of 2)

platform

The combination of computer hardware and operating system that applications must be compatible with.

platform

OTHER WORDS FOR platform

Origin of platform

OTHER WORDS FROM platform

Words nearby platform

Words related to platform

How to use platform in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for platform

Word Origin for platform

Scientific definitions for platform

Cultural definitions for platform (1 of 2)

Cultural definitions for platform (2 of 2)