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

All of his albums received platinum certifications. —Adam Thompson, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026

Designed by master independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen, the time-only UJ-2 features a 39mm case available in either platinum (like Timmy’s) or rose gold and a guilloché dial with a small seconds display at 5 o’clock and a power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2026

Adjective

Regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop artists of his generation, a multi-platinum rapper will be making his return to the Kansas City. —Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026

Music Badshah, multi-platinum Indian artist. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Feb. 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