platform
noun
plat·form
ˈplat-ˌfȯrm 
plural platforms
1
a
: a flat horizontal surface that is usually higher than the adjoining area: such as
(1)
: a raised flooring (such as a stage or dais)
… a great stack of chairs piled up on and about the musicians' platform …—
Joseph Conrad
Joseph ConradFrom this official table on a raised platform … , Robert Thomas, the show's chairman, directs operations …—Liz Horwitt
Liz Horwitt
(2)
: an elevated area next to railroad tracks for the boarding of trains
The platform was crowded with waiting passengers.
b
: a device or structure incorporating or providing a platform
a viewing platform
specifically
: such a structure on legs used for offshore drilling (as for oil)
2
: a declaration of the principles on which a group of persons stands
especially
: a declaration of principles and policies adopted by a political party or a candidate
the Republican/Democratic platform
She's running (for office) on a platform of reform.
3
: a means or opportunity to communicate ideas or information to a group of people
The event provides a platform for Latino artists, writers and creators in the comic book industry.—Sonia Ramirez
Sonia Ramirez… a new understanding among the young of how celebrity now works, and the power of a personal brand as a marketing platform.—Strawberry Saroyan
Strawberry Saroyan4
: the grounds or basis for further action
The company used the innovation as a platform for future growth.
5
a
or platform sole plural platform soles
: a usually thick layer (as of cork) between the inner sole and outer sole of a shoe
b
or platform shoe plural platform shoes
: a shoe having such a sole
6
computing
a
: operating system
also
: the computer architecture and equipment using a particular operating system
b
: an application or website that serves as a base from which a service is provided
music streaming platforms
… has built a cloud-computing platform for use by others.—The Economist
The Economist… billions of photos scraped from Facebook and other social media platforms.—C. J. Ciaramella
C. J. Ciaramella7
a
: a vehicle (such as a satellite or aircraft) used for a particular purpose or to carry a usually specified kind of equipment
b
: a basic pattern (such as the chassis) upon which an automobile or class of automobiles is constructed
Based on the platform of Fiat's upmarket Alfa Romeo Giulietta, though wider and longer for American roads, it's all in all a much sexier compact than anything Chrysler has ever designed.—Bill Saporito
Bill SaporitoExamples of platform in a Sentence
He stepped up onto the platform and looked out into the audience.
She stepped off the train onto the platform.
Our train is boarding on platform 6.
The party adopted a new platform.
The company plans to use the show as a platform to launch the new soft drink.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tobacco parallels The Los Angeles trial centers on allegations made by a 20-year-old woman, Kaley, and her mother that four social media giants intentionally designed addictive platforms that hooked her as a child and led to mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
Eco effort LightStay, Hilton’s award-winning environmental and social impact platform, rigorously tracks and manages energy use, water consumption, waste reduction, and community impact.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
As the Pentagon advances its own robotic vehicle programs, platforms like ATLAS show how industry aims to field modular, autonomous systems at speed.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026
No one has yet built a platform with the scale and volume of original shows and movies that Netflix has, but streaming has become the default option for most viewers.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for platform
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
Eco effort LightStay, Hilton’s award-winning environmental and social impact platform, rigorously tracks and manages energy use, water consumption, waste reduction, and community impact.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
As the Pentagon advances its own robotic vehicle programs, platforms like ATLAS show how industry aims to field modular, autonomous systems at speed.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026
No one has yet built a platform with the scale and volume of original shows and movies that Netflix has, but streaming has become the default option for most viewers.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for platform
Cite this Entry
“Platform.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platform. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
platform
noun
plat·form
ˈplat-ˌfȯrm
1
: a declaration of the beliefs and goals of a political party or candidate
2
a
: a level usually raised surface
a railroad station platform
b
: a raised floor or stage for performers or speakers
3
: a thick sole for a shoe or a shoe with such a sole
4
a
b
: an application or website that serves as the base from which a service is provided
social media platforms
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