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

Astronomers investigating mysterious flashes of X-rays believe that these blasts could stem from collisions between neutron stars, the events that forge elements like gold, silver, and platinum. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Fiery performance artist Maureen (Lazy Violet), with hair dyed half purple and half platinum, moons the crowd of one (me) — and drag queen Angel (Jeevan Braich) shows up fashionably late halfway through the number, just as the character would. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Nas, the Grammy-winning, multi-platinum rapper, is creating new material for the production and expanding the film’s soundtrack. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026

The multi-platinum singer and actress announced The Lucky Me Tour 2027, which will act as a second leg of her The Lucky Me Tour in 2026. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 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