platoon

American  

[pluh-toon] / pləˈtun /

noun

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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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

“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

Though she brought flying rainbow unicorns and a platoon of plotting penguins to life on screen, there’s more to Castuera’s resume than hyper-imaginative animation.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

In about a year, his infantry platoon went from having one kind of drone, a small quadcopter, to seven types to experiment with.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 13, 2025

During his military career, Driscoll became an officer in 2007, led a cavalry platoon and deployed to Iraq for several months in 2009.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

At first he seemed to think Horan, still in his uniform, was part of his platoon.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge

Related Words

• batch
• detachment
• patrol
• squad
• squadron