platinum

1 of 2

noun

plat·​i·​num ˈpla-tə-nəm How to pronounce platinum (audio)
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
Phrases
go platinum
: to have enough sales to qualify for a platinum record

Examples of platinum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Hilton asked Taylor to marry him with a 4-carat diamond set in platinum. Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025 Together, the Grammy winner has made her way around the color wheel, sporting every hue from platinum to copper and bubblegum pink. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Participants included multi-platinum recording artists, such as team captains Gunna, from Atlanta, GA, and Aitch, from Manchester, United Kingdom, as well as YouTubers, and flag football and former NFL players. Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025 As has been the case for two decades, a multi-genre cultural blend focused on sing-along fun, driven by multi-platinum hits magnified through country music's century of traditions, will be highlighted. Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for platinum

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of platinum was in 1794

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Platinum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platinum. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

platinum

1 of 2 noun
plat·​i·​num ˈplat-nəm How to pronounce platinum (audio)
-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 How to pronounce platinum (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on platinum

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