1
: a subdivision of a company-sized military unit normally consisting of two or more squads or sections
2
: a group of persons sharing a common characteristic or activity
a platoon of waiters
especially
: a group of football players who are trained for either offense or defense and are sent into or withdrawn from the game as a body
platooned; platooning; platoons
: to play (one player) alternately with another player in the same position (as on a baseball team)
1
: to alternate with another player at the same position
2
: to use alternate players at the same position
Synonyms
Examples of platoon in a Sentence
Noun
will need a platoon of assistants to mount the display at the spring flower show
Recent Examples on the Web
David Axe, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
Amid those worries, recovery efforts here near Bat Cave and nearby Hendersonville have given way to a sense of unity among many who formed impromptu platoons to rescue neighbors.
—Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Oct. 2024
Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2024
Vientos is expected to platoon with Brett Baty at third base, though manager Carlos Mendoza is hesitant to call it a straight platoon.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for platoon 
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
Ever since then, four elite Ukrainian brigades have been deliberately hunting down and ambushing 155th Naval Infantry Brigade platoons … and taking no prisoners.
—David Axe, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
Amid those worries, recovery efforts here near Bat Cave and nearby Hendersonville have given way to a sense of unity among many who formed impromptu platoons to rescue neighbors.
—Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Oct. 2024
Verb
With Betts remaining at shortstop and Rojas on the verge of returning, veteran fill-in shortstop Nick Ahmed could be designated for assignment, and recently acquired utility man Amed Rosario and perhaps Rojas could platoon with Lux at second base.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2024
Vientos is expected to platoon with Brett Baty at third base, though manager Carlos Mendoza is hesitant to call it a straight platoon.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for platoon
Dictionary Entries Near platoon
Cite this Entry
“Platoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platoon. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share