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: a group of football players who are trained for either offense or defense and are sent into or withdrawn from the game as a body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
Synonyms
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
Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 4 May 2024
Another soldier in his platoon, James Davis, 33, started having near-daily panic attacks in uniform, as well as balance problems, migraines and sensitivity to light.
—Dave Philipps, New York Times, 2 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for platoon 
Noun
In the meantime, the Giants will split the catching duties between Murphy and Sabol, who represent a downgrade defensively but conveniently own strong platoon splits from the opposite sides.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 4 May 2024
Another soldier in his platoon, James Davis, 33, started having near-daily panic attacks in uniform, as well as balance problems, migraines and sensitivity to light.
—Dave Philipps, New York Times, 2 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for platoon
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.
Dictionary Entries Near platoon
Cite this Entry
“Platoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platoon. Accessed 10 May. 2024.
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