platinum

1 of 2

noun

plat·​i·​num ˈpla-tə-nəm 

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

Noun

Perhaps most telling was that the platinum 5711/1P, still in its plastic factory seal, barely crested over its $800,000 high estimate to bring in a somewhat unimpressive $825,500. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 17 Dec. 2024

Instead of moving about electrons to store data, the memory chip uses oxygen ions drawn through three platinum electrodes. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 17 Dec. 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

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

Phrases Containing platinum

• cis-platinum
• go platinum
• platinum blonde
• platinum record

Kids Definition

platinum

1 of 2 noun

plat·​i·​num ˈplat-nəm 

-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 

: 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