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

Phrases

go platinum

: to have enough sales to qualify for a platinum record

Examples of platinum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The platinum-selling singer, born David Anthony Burke, has not been charged with any crime, and his lawyer has not responded to multiple requests for comment. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2025

The device is built out of medical-implant-grade metals, with a titanium-alloy body and more than 400 platinum-iridium electrodes that will be positioned next to neurons, with on-chip processing to record a large amount of brain signals. —New Atlas, 21 Nov. 2025

Adjective

Burd is a multi-platinum rapper, comedian and actor. —Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 24 Nov. 2025

Michel, 53 – co-founder of the multi-platinum, Grammy-winning hip hop group with bandmates Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean – was found guilty of 10 counts of conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government in April 2023. —Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025

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