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: a group of football players who are trained for either offense or defense and are sent into or withdrawn from the game as a body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
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
Tom Bowman, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
But if McMahon continues to struggle, Boone may not have much of a choice but to abandon the platoon plans.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
Williamson, though, has played the middle infield spots and can platoon with Palacios at second, while also receiving time at short and occasionally spelling Caminero at third.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for platoon
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Noun
The busiest single day saw 12 new clients join, with one person saying four other members of their platoon were also interested.
—Tom Bowman, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
But if McMahon continues to struggle, Boone may not have much of a choice but to abandon the platoon plans.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
McCullough likes to platoon with his lineups and has left-handed-hitting Graham Pauley as an option at third base, which frees up Sanoja to fill any other spot that might be needed when the opponent has a right-handed starting pitcher on the mound.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
Williamson, though, has played the middle infield spots and can platoon with Palacios at second, while also receiving time at short and occasionally spelling Caminero at third.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for platoon
Cite this Entry
“Platoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platoon. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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