Main Entry:

¹pla·toon

Pronunciation:

\plə-ˈtün, pla-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French peloton small detachment, literally, ball, from Middle French pelote little ball — more at pellet

Date:

1637

1: a subdivision of a company-sized military unit normally consisting of two or more squads or sections2: 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 ; especially : a group of football players who are trained for either offense or defense and are sent into or withdrawn from the game as a body