platoon

1 of 2

noun

pla·​toon plə-ˈtün How to pronounce platoon (audio)
pla-
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especially : a group of football players who are trained for either offense or defense and are sent into or withdrawn from the game as a body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

2 of 2

verb

platooned; platooning; platoons

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

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
The club built its 2023 roster with platoons in mind. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2023 Another time, the Viet Cong sprayed the brush with gunfire near where his platoon was hunkered down for two hours. Phil Davison, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023 He was named for Sy's younger brother Leonard Kravitz, who died in the Korean War at 20 years old while sacrificing his life protecting his platoon. Charlotte Walsh, Peoplemag, 14 Aug. 2023 The Diamondbacks, with lefty outfielders Alek Thomas and Jake McCarthy, likely view Pham as a platoon bat capable of crushing lefties. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 3 Aug. 2023 Fabian, a right-handed hitter, might be the best complement with Carter to form another outfield platoon. Evan Grant, Dallas News, 7 Sep. 2023 Ukraine’s Army is still organized under the old Soviet system, with three tanks making up a tank platoon. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 7 Sep. 2023 Some platoons are mostly staffed by soldiers who have been wounded and returned to fight. Eric Schmitt, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Aug. 2023 But having two players who are capable of leading off — perhaps even four considering the platoon of Austin Hays versus left-handers and Gunnar Henderson against righties was employed for most of June and July — is a good problem to have. Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2023
Verb
The left-handed hitter should platoon at third base until Evan Longoria recovers from a back injury. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2023 This could be a good time to platoon Gonzalez with Will Brennan in right field. Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 14 July 2023 Originally, Heyward seemed set for a bench role backing up Chris Taylor in center, likely to platoon against right-handed pitchers and provide defensive versatility late in games. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2023 Kotsay suggested Pache, a right-handed hitter, might platoon in center with fellow rookie Cal Stevenson, a left-handed hitter. Steve Kroner, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Aug. 2022 The Tigers would benefit a right-handed hitter to platoon with Nick Maton, a left-handed hitter, at third base. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2023 Grossman, a switch hitter who has been much more effective against left-handers, gives the Braves an outfielder who can platoon with lefty-hitting Eddie Rosario and serve as a replacement for Adam Duvall, who recently underwent season-ending wrist surgery. Paul Newberry, Chron, 2 Aug. 2022 The Tigers would benefit from a right-handed hitting third baseman to platoon with him. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 8 Mar. 2023 Bell and Naylor can platoon at first with Bell DHing when Naylor plays first. Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 6 Dec. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'platoon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French peloton small detachment, literally, ball, from Middle French pelote little ball — more at pellet

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1963, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of platoon was circa 1547

Dictionary Entries Near platoon

Cite this Entry

“Platoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platoon. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

platoon

noun
pla·​toon
plə-ˈtün,
pla-
1
: a part of a military company consisting of two or more squads
2
: a group of football players sent into or withdrawn from the game as a body

More from Merriam-Webster on platoon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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