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: a group of football players who are trained for either offense or defense and are sent into or withdrawn from the game as a body
platooned; platooning; platoons
: to play (one player) alternately with another player in the same position (as on a baseball team)
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
Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026
But searching for some kind of jolt, head coach Jordi Fernández went to a near full platoon change to begin the second half, rolling out Thomas, Claxton, Nolan Traore, Tyrese Martin and Jalen Wilson.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 19 Jan. 2026
John Shipley, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 2026
Brandon Marsh will platoon with a right-handed bat.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for platoon
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Noun
His addition will allow the Dodgers to move Hernandez back to left field, where his sub-par defense is less of an issue, pair Pages with Tommy Edman in center field (once Edman has recovered from ankle surgery) and not have to force an Alex Call-Ryan Ward platoon into the lineup on a daily basis.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026
But searching for some kind of jolt, head coach Jordi Fernández went to a near full platoon change to begin the second half, rolling out Thomas, Claxton, Nolan Traore, Tyrese Martin and Jalen Wilson.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 19 Jan. 2026
Verb
The veteran signed a two-year deal paying $7 million annually and will platoon behind the plate with Ryan Jeffers.
Rogers, 35, played with Cincinnati and the Chicago Cubs last season.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 2026
Brandon Marsh will platoon with a right-handed bat.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for platoon
Cite this Entry
“Platoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platoon. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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