platinum

1 of 2

noun

plat·​i·​num ˈpla-tə-nəm How to pronounce platinum (audio)
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
Emily Blunt wore a Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany & Co. Petal Fringe necklace in platinum and yellow gold with round brilliant diamonds weighing over six-carats to the 2024 SAG Awards. Beth Bernstein, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The most popular type forces the exhaust through a ceramic honeycomb structure coated with a thin layer containing a precious metal such as platinum, palladium, or rhodium. IEEE Spectrum, 27 Feb. 2024 Reeves used two Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany Bird on a Rock Brooches in platinum and 18k yellow gold — both with a diamond over 10 carats — as a hairpiece for Blunt's fancy updo to match her dress. Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 The fuel cell is a device through which air and hydrogen pass across plates coated in a platinum catalyst. Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 The record peaked at No. 67 on the Hot 100 and No. 12 on the Rap Songs charts, eventually earning platinum status from the RIAA. Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2024 After her audition, viewers watched as Carter’s ticket got upgraded from gold to platinum. Julia Daye, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2024 Blunt also wore a pair of Elsa Peretti 18K gold bone cuffs on her wrists, as well as a platinum ring with a diamond weighing over six carats. Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 Witherspoon paired the look with jewels crafted of white and yellow diamonds set in platinum by Bucherer Fine Jewellery. Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 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 Singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney spent a decade building steam before their sixth album, 2010’s Brothers, brought them multi-platinum success and a long string of radio hits. Al Shipley, SPIN, 22 Feb. 2023 His first album with the Foos was the multi-platinum success The Colour and the Shape. Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 31 Dec. 2022 The multi-platinum project featured collaborations with Justin Timberlake, Rosalia Christian Nodal, and even Katt Williams. Ariana Garcia, Chron, 14 Feb. 2023 Houston, who died in 2012 at age 48, released seven albums and two soundtracks over the course of her career, including 1992’s multi-platinum soundtrack to her starring vehicle The Bodyguard. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Feb. 2023 In the video montage of her favorite moments of the night, Madonna posed with Cardi B and Smith, and shared a NSFW kiss with multi-platinum songwriter and R&B artist Jozzy. Tracey Harrington McCoy, Peoplemag, 8 Feb. 2023 In The Book of Jose, Fat Joe — born Joseph Antonio Cartagena — will chronicle his rise from a kid in the South Bronx to the multi-platinum selling artist and founder of the Terror Squad. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'platinum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of platinum was in 1794

Dictionary Entries Near platinum

Cite this Entry

“Platinum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platinum. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

platinum

1 of 2 noun
plat·​i·​num ˈplat-nəm How to pronounce platinum (audio)
-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 How to pronounce platinum (audio)
: 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

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