platoon

American  

[pluh-toon] / pləˈtun /

noun

platoons plural

1. a military unit consisting of two or more squads or sections and a headquarters.

2. a small unit of a police force.

3. a company or group of persons.

   a platoon of visitors.

4. Football. a group of players specially trained in one aspect of the game, as offense or defense, and used as a unit.

   a halfback on the offensive platoon.

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verb (used with object)

1. Sports.

   1. to use (a player) at a position in a game alternately with another player or players.

   2. to alternate (two different teams or units), as separate offensive and defensive squads.

verb (used without object)

1. Sports.

   1. to alternate at a position with another player or players.

   2. to use players alternately at the same position.

   3. to alternate different teams.

platoon British  

/ pləˈtuːn /

noun

1. military a subunit of a company usually comprising three sections of ten to twelve men: commanded by a lieutenant

2. a group or unit of people, esp one sharing a common activity, characteristic, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• platoons
  plural

Etymology

Origin of platoon

1630–40; earlier plotton < French peloton little ball, group, platoon, diminutive of pelote ball. See pellet, -oon

Explanation

A platoon is a military unit made up of squads. If you’re in a war zone, you might see a platoon of soldiers guarding a checkpoint. Military branches such as the army, navy, air force, or marines are broken down into smaller groups. One is a platoon, which is part of a company and made up of squads. A platoon usually has its own headquarters and is under the command of a lieutenant. In a war, platoons will be stationed in places according to strategy — the platoon might be attacking or defending. Platoon (1986) is also the name of a war movie about Vietnam.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

platoon platoons

“It would be like if I was leading a platoon of Marines but went to a hotel to sleep at night while they’re out in a foxhole,” he added.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026

“Before you can command a ship, a platoon, a flight of fighters,” he told graduates, “you must be able to command yourself.”

From Salon ● May 24, 2026

When Turner went job hunting last winter, the top line of “41-year-old with a .602 OPS” carried the day, even if he was primarily a platoon player last season, with a .759 OPS against left-handers.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2026

As a lieutenant, Mueller led a platoon of troops, was wounded twice in battle, and was awarded numerous commendations including the Bronze Star for bravery.

From BBC ● Mar. 21, 2026

I stood up from my chair and ordered my platoon to “stand fast,” or remain still, as I reminded them about the room inspection that was going to take place immediately after school.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore

Developing the ability to deploy platoons of robots that can carry out orders without hesitating also speaks to skepticism in Beijing about the reliability of PLA mission commanders.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 25, 2026

This year, mercenaries began transiting through Bosaso in Somalia, where local sources told AFP a UAE-run section of a military base has hosted platoons of uniformed foreigners, transported in cargo planes.

From Barron's ● Dec. 21, 2025

Many of us in the platoons of the federal workforce cannot afford to be dismissed, however illegal the dismissal might be.

From Slate ● Feb. 3, 2025

Rather than splurge for a full-time outfielder in free agency last year, the team opted for platoons at all three positions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 16, 2024

We strolled down the barely lit street, gossiping about the antics of our platoons.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore

Related Words

• batch
• detachment
• patrol
• squad
• squadron