noun
Uncommon
platoon
pluh-TOON
Platoon (noun) means a military unit of roughly thirty to forty soldiers, usually commanded by a lieutenant, forming part of a larger company. Example: “The platoon advanced under cover of darkness.”
noun
1
A military unit of roughly thirty to forty soldiers, usually commanded by a lieutenant, forming part of a larger company.
"Needless to say, one's seat must be booked in advance and a platoon of urbane officials, one to each door of the train, awaits passengers to usher them to their seats and relieve them of their bulkier baggage."
— G. Freeman Allen, Europe's most luxurious express - the (1960)
"The platoon advanced under cover of darkness."
verb
1
In sports, to alternate two or more players in the same position depending on the situation.
"The coach platoons his two best pitchers depending on the opposing lineup."
How to use platoon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small military unit, or (in sports) rotating players by matchup.
Common pairings
army platoon
platoon leader
platoon system
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Word forms
- Plural
- platoons
- Third person singular
- platoons
- Past tense
- platooned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ advanced under cover of darkness.
Etymology
From French peloton, literally "little ball" or "small group," the same root that gives cycling's "peloton."
Rhymes for platoon
See all rhymes for platoon →Frequently asked questions
What does “platoon” mean?
The word “platoon” means a military unit of roughly thirty to forty soldiers, usually commanded by a lieutenant, forming part of a larger company. In plain terms, a small military unit, or (in sports) rotating players by matchup.
How do you pronounce “platoon”?
“Platoon” is pronounced pluh-TOON (/pləˈtuːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “platoon” in a sentence?
Here is “platoon” used in a sentence: “The platoon advanced under cover of darkness.”
What part of speech is “platoon”?
Depending on how it is used, “platoon” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “platoon” come from?
The word “platoon” comes from French. From French peloton, literally "little ball" or "small group," the same root that gives cycling's "peloton.".
Is “platoon” a common word?
“Platoon” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “platoon” have?
“Platoon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a military unit of roughly thirty to forty soldiers, usually commanded by a lieutenant, forming part of a larger company.
