platform

American  

[plat-fawrm] / ˈplæt fɔrm /

noun

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

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

   Synonyms:

   tenets, party line, manifesto, pulpit, rostrum, dais, stage

3. a place for public discussion; forum.

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

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

6. a landing in a flight of stairs.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. a system of religious principles or doctrines.

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

11. Digital Technology.

    1. hardware platform.

    2. software platform.

    3. gaming platform.

    4. application program; app.

12. Also platform business model 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.

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

14. Military.

    1. solid ground on which artillery pieces are mounted.

    2. a metal stand or base attached to certain types of artillery pieces.

15. Nautical. flat.

16. a flat, elevated piece of ground.

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

18. 1. 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.

    2. Also platform shoe a shoe with such an insert.

---

platform British  

/ ˈplætfɔːm /

noun

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

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

3. See drilling platform production platform

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

5. a level raised area of ground

6. 1. the thick raised sole of some high-heeled shoes

   2. ( as modifier )

      platform shoes

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

8. a specific type of computer hardware or computer operating system

---

platform Scientific  

/ plăt′fôrm′ /

1. 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.

2. 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.

---

platform ¹ Cultural  

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

---

platform ² Cultural  

1. 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.

---

Other Word Forms

• platformless adjective

Etymology

Origin of platform

First recorded in 1540–50; earlier platte forme, from Middle French: literally, “flat form, plane figure”; plate ¹, form

Example Sentences

When the reopening sparked backlash from nearby residents over loud and dangerous driving, Baron used his platform in the car community to urge enthusiasts to drive safely and listen to residents’ concerns.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

The victim's mother said she wanted to warn other parents about the dangers of their children using the gaming platform.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

USA Rare Earth’s CEO stated the deal advances its integrated value chain, aiming for Europe’s first rare earth oxide and metal-making platform.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Sit in front of a screen and suffer an endless stream of the vilest videos the internet can offer, approving or denying each clip’s right to stay on a given platform.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Not to anything major, of course, but you were put on a Glitch platform and sent to a deserted field somewhere in the past to get used to the whole experience.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Related Words

• manifesto
• plank
• policy
• principle
• program