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 company behind platinum-selling artists, including Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, was listed on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange in 2021 with an initial valuation of 46 billion euros. —April Roach, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026

There’s also no attempt to recreate the magic of Cash Money’s platinum-plus Y2K era; this record may offer ample opportunities for azzes looking to be backed up, but even its hardest songs are presented with a mellowness of spirit. —Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 7 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Staind is a multi-platinum rock band that's toured alongside names like Kid Rock, Limp Bizkit and Filter. —Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 31 Mar. 2026

But recording, touring and promoting the six-time multi-platinum group for the past 40+ years left little time for his childhood fancy. —Lina Lecaro, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 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