platoon

noun

pla·toon | \ plə-ˈtün

, pla-\

Definition of platoon

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a subdivision of a company-sized military unit normally consisting of two or more squads or sections

2 : a group of persons sharing a common characteristic or activity a platoon of waiters especially : a group of football players who are trained for either offense or defense and are sent into or withdrawn from the game as a body

platoon

verb

platooned; platooning; platoons

Definition of platoon (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to play (one player) alternately with another player in the same position (as on a baseball team)

intransitive verb

1 : to alternate with another player at the same position

2 : to use alternate players at the same position

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about platoon

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Examples of platoon in a Sentence

Noun

will need a platoon of assistants to mount the display at the spring flower show

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Pearce, a right-handed batter, normally platoons with lefty-hitting Mitch Moreland at first base. — Carrie Muskat, The Seattle Times, "Red Sox to put World Series MVP Steve Pearce on injured list," 26 Mar. 2019 If Meadows isn’t ready for full-time duty, Luplow and lefty-swinging Adam Frazier could form a capable platoon. — Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, "MLB's 100 Names You Need to Know for 2018," 7 Feb. 2018 Without an addition at shortstop, where Solarte began to moonlight, or a Solarte trade, Asuaje would continue to see time in a third-base/second-base platoon with Solarte and Cory Spangenberg. — Jeff Sanders, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Padres roster review: Carlos Asuaje," 4 Dec. 2017 Austin Miller, a platoon leader with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. — Craig Nelson And Ehsanullah Amiri, WSJ, "U.S. General Takes Over Afghan Military Effort at Uncertain Moment," 2 Sep. 2018 NL West Arizona Diamondbacks: Two (LF, closer). David Peralta and Yasmany Tomas currently man the corner outfield spots, but could easily combine to form a platoon in right. — Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, "MLB free agents far outnumber available jobs - which may behoove many to sign soon," 11 Jan. 2018 With Mark Trumbo back in the fold, Álvarez has recently been relegated to a platoon DH role after some attempts to install him at third base. — Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles DH Pedro Álvarez leaves Thursday night's win over Royals with hamstring 'spasm/cramp'," 11 May 2018 B54s were officially retired by the U.S. Military in 1989, though Bentley’s SADM platoons were deactivated long before that. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The U.S. Military Once Had Nukes That Could Fit in a Backpack," 14 Jan. 2019 Freight has been a prominent target of autonomous vehicle research, although in the US most of the hype surrounds freight trucks, which could be run in platoon formation to cut down on highway traffic. — Megan Geuss, Ars Technica, "Mining co. says first autonomous freight train network fully operational," 30 Dec. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Companies like Peloton Technology are developing freight platooning systems that let large trucks follow one another at short distances to improve fuel economy. — Diana Budds, Curbed, "The future of urban mobility will be shaped by these six issues," 18 Dec. 2018 Jamie Hyneman, the former MythBuster, has engineered a firefighting tank that can be platooned and piloted remotely or even autonomously. — Kevin Dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, "The Tank That's Tougher Than Wildfire," 13 Nov. 2018 Volvo Trucks shows off its platooning trucks during a demo in North Carolina. — Aarian Marshall, WIRED, "This Week in the Future of Cars: Unconventional Wisdom," 1 July 2018 The Indians should consider platooning him more often - the numbers show that is needed. — Terry Pluto, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Indians: Tyler Naquin's rise, worries elsewhere -- Terry Pluto," 13 May 2018 After the deadline-day deal, Mohammed became a key piece on the 2005 championship team, platooning at first with Rasho Nesterovic at center. — Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, "Spurs trade history includes several blockbusters," 26 May 2018 First baseman Eric Thames will be platooned at first base, playing primarily against right-handed starters. — Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY, "For Brewers, player surplus means start of season will 'suck for a couple of guys'," 26 Mar. 2018 The lefty hitter will platoon with Brandon Guyer while Chisenhall recovers. — Terry Pluto, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Indians: How they keep winning -- Terry Pluto (photos)," 14 Apr. 2018 Carlos Tocci, the backup center fielder, will continue to platoon on the bench. — Stefan Stevenson, star-telegram, "Injuries have forced Rangers to throw a Round Rock reunion | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 13 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'platoon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.