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

Silver and platinum prices have also climbed alongside gold, reflecting broader investor interest in hard assets. —Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

Gold IRAs are a type of retirement account that's limited to gold, platinum and other precious metals. —Liz Knueven, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Multi-platinum rock legends Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms have joined forces yet again for a co-headlining summer tour that will stop in Des Moines this year. —Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 20 Jan. 2026

This includes 2008’s multi-platinum Tha Carter III, which was released the same year Kyle and Mandy welcomed their son. —Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 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