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

see also:

go platinum

Examples of platinum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

These include platinum-group metals found in spent automotive catalysts and potentially critical elements present in mine tailings and other complex waste streams. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026

This was the Blond Ambition summer on the small screen — a wave of platinum domination entirely unrelated to the release of a new Madonna album. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Multi-platinum singer Becky G's mission goes beyond music with her latest album. — Kelsie Hoffman, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

The song was co-written, with Raül Refree, and is performed in the film, by Álvaro Lafuente Calvo, aka Guitarricadelafuente, a 28-year-old multi-platinum recording artist and Latin Grammy nominee. — Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026

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