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

The platinum, for example, equates to the contents of an asteroid 16 to 43 meters in diameter. — Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2026

Metal purity is worth asking about directly, with eighteen carat gold or platinum marking the entry point for a piece meant to last. — Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Directed by Kirk DeMicco from a screenplay by Ben Falcone and Damon Jones, Margie Claus will also have original songs written and produced by Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum selling artist Meghan Trainor along with Falcone and Jones. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026

Originally released in 2003, the G6 landed as 50 Cent was at the peak of his breakthrough run following the blockbuster success of his multi-platinum debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin’. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 17 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