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
Iran has also conducted drone strikes that damaged data centers in the region that are owned by Amazon Web Services, which operates the world’s largest cloud platform—high-value targets with major financial and operational ramifications.
—Sue Halpern, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
While some defend their way of life, fighting against modernity, others embrace change, becoming a platform to disrupt the status quo.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Smart humanoid platform SamuRoid is built around the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, offering 4GB or 8GB RAM options for flexible performance.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
The yoga platform looking out over the Himalayan range through lofty pines gives a fresh resonance to the concept of a mountain pose asana and to bhramari, honey-bee breathing exercises taken with the actual insect community humming vibrantly around the ears.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for platform
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Sue Halpern, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
While some defend their way of life, fighting against modernity, others embrace change, becoming a platform to disrupt the status quo.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Smart humanoid platform SamuRoid is built around the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, offering 4GB or 8GB RAM options for flexible performance.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
The yoga platform looking out over the Himalayan range through lofty pines gives a fresh resonance to the concept of a mountain pose asana and to bhramari, honey-bee breathing exercises taken with the actual insect community humming vibrantly around the ears.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 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 25 Apr. 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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