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

Example Sentences

Sodais, 33, and Sullivan, then a platoon leader, met two years later at a military base in the remote Zabul Province.

From Los Angeles Times

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

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

Yet, he has improved his approach, honed more consistent swing mechanics, and balanced out his platoon splits, batting .353 against left-handed pitching in 2025.

From Los Angeles Times

His father is fighting and his stepfather -- one of only two survivors from his original platoon -- deserted to look after his three children.

From Barron's

Related Words

• batch
• detachment
• patrol
• squad
• squadron