platform

noun

plat·​form ˈplat-ˌfȯrm 

plural platforms

1

a

: a flat horizontal surface that is usually higher than the adjoining area: such as

(1)

: a raised flooring (such as a stage or dais)

… a great stack of chairs piled up on and about the musicians' platform …

—Joseph Conrad

From this official table on a raised platform … , Robert Thomas, the show's chairman, directs operations …

—Liz Horwitt

(2)

: an elevated area next to railroad tracks for the boarding of trains

The platform was crowded with waiting passengers.

b

: a device or structure incorporating or providing a platform

a viewing platform

specifically : such a structure on legs used for offshore drilling (as for oil)

2

: a declaration of the principles on which a group of persons stands

especially : a declaration of principles and policies adopted by a political party or a candidate

the Republican/Democratic platform

She's running (for office) on a platform of reform.

3

: a means or opportunity to communicate ideas or information to a group of people

The event provides a platform for Latino artists, writers and creators in the comic book industry.

—Sonia Ramirez

… a new understanding among the young of how celebrity now works, and the power of a personal brand as a marketing platform.

—Strawberry Saroyan

4

: the grounds or basis for further action

The company used the innovation as a platform for future growth.

5

a

or platform sole plural platform soles : a usually thick layer (as of cork) between the inner sole and outer sole of a shoe

b

or platform shoe plural platform shoes : a shoe having such a sole

6

computing

a

: operating system

also : the computer architecture and equipment using a particular operating system

b

: an application or website that serves as a base from which a service is provided

music streaming platforms

… has built a cloud-computing platform for use by others.

—The Economist

… billions of photos scraped from Facebook and other social media platforms.

—C. J. Ciaramella

7

a

: a vehicle (such as a satellite or aircraft) used for a particular purpose or to carry a usually specified kind of equipment

b

: a basic pattern (such as the chassis) upon which an automobile or class of automobiles is constructed

Based on the platform of Fiat's upmarket Alfa Romeo Giulietta, though wider and longer for American roads, it's all in all a much sexier compact than anything Chrysler has ever designed.

—Bill Saporito

8

obsolete : plan, design

Synonyms

• dais
• podium
• rostrum
• stage
• stand
• tribune

Examples of platform in a Sentence

He stepped up onto the platform and looked out into the audience.

She stepped off the train onto the platform.

Our train is boarding on platform 6.

The party adopted a new platform.

The company plans to use the show as a platform to launch the new soft drink.

Recent Examples on the Web

Getty Images On a third-quarter earnings call in late October, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi boasted that the ride-hailing and delivery platform has secured partnerships with more than a dozen different autonomous vehicle companies. —Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 6 Dec. 2024

Also, Pew Research shows the platform has become more popular among Republicans since Musk's takeover. —Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024

The drones can be relocated to cover gaps in the minefield, or reinforced with more drones flown or dropped into the area by other platforms as needed. —David Hambling, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

TikTok argued that the law singles out TikTok because of the content on the platform, violating the First Amendment. —Zeyi Yang Makena Kelly, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French plate-forme diagram, map, literally, flat form

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing platform

• oil platform
• platform balance
• platform game
• platform rocker
• platform tennis

Kids Definition

platform

noun

plat·​form ˈplat-ˌfȯrm 

1

: a declaration of the beliefs and goals of a political party or candidate

2

a

: a level usually raised surface

a railroad station platform

b

: a raised floor or stage for performers or speakers

3

: a thick sole for a shoe or a shoe with such a sole

4

a

: operating system

b

: an application or website that serves as the base from which a service is provided

social media platforms