platinum

1 of 2

noun

plat·​i·​num ˈpla-tə-nəm How to pronounce platinum (audio)
ˈplat-nəm
often attributive
1
: a precious grayish-white noncorroding ductile malleable heavy metallic element that fuses with difficulty and is used especially in chemical ware and apparatus, as a catalyst, and in dental and jewelry alloys see Chemical Elements Table
2
: a moderate gray

platinum

2 of 2

adjective

: qualifying for a platinum record
Phrases
go platinum
: to have enough sales to qualify for a platinum record

Examples of platinum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
The cost of investment in platinum was $43,314,000 at the end of the quarter. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024 The crew scans as underground but is now flirting with mainstream rap culture, thanks to their gold and platinum plaques, billions of streams, and an aura that any major rap or popstar would sell their soul to have. Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Along with The World Is a Ghetto and All Day Music, WAR counts 17 gold, platinum or multi-platinum albums in its catalog. Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2023 His artist discography includes three platinum or multi-platinum singles, and songs that have gone No. 1 in both the country and hard rock formats. Chris Willman, Variety, 13 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for platinum 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin, from Spanish platina, from diminutive of plata silver — more at plate

First Known Use

Noun

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of platinum was in 1794

Dictionary Entries Near platinum

Cite this Entry

“Platinum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platinum. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

platinum

1 of 2 noun
plat·​i·​num ˈplat-nəm How to pronounce platinum (audio)
-ᵊn-əm
: a heavy precious grayish white metallic element that is used especially as a catalyst and in jewelry see element

platinum

2 of 2 adjective
: qualifying for a platinum record

Medical Definition

platinum

noun
plat·​i·​num ˈplat-nəm, -ᵊn-əm How to pronounce platinum (audio)
: a heavy precious grayish white noncorroding ductile malleable metallic element that fuses with difficulty and is used especially in chemical ware and apparatus, as a catalyst, and in dental and jewelry alloys
symbol Pt
see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on platinum

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