What does "platoon" mean?
A unit of thirty to forty soldiers typically commanded by a lieutenant and forming part of a company.
Platoon
noun, verb
noun, verb ·2 syllables ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A unit of thirty to forty soldiers typically commanded by a lieutenant and forming part of a company.
- Grammar: platoon is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: age group, army, army group, arrange.
- Useful contrasts: consolidate, individual, individual soldier.
- Usage evidence: A platoon has about thirty soldiers.
How to use "platoon"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "platoon" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "platoon" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "platoon" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "platoon" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "platoon" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "age group" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "platoon", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A unit of thirty to forty soldiers typically commanded by a lieutenant and forming part of a 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."
- 2 a military unit that is a subdivision of a company; usually has a headquarters and two or more squads; usually commanded by a lieutenant wordnet
- 3 A subdivision of a fire company, led by a captain or lieutenant.
- 4 a team of policemen working under the military platoon system wordnet
- 5 A group of self-driving vehicles travelling in a close convoy and communicating electronically with each other.
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 a group of persons who are engaged in a common activity wordnet
- 7 A group of children in the platoon grouping education system. historical
Verb
- 1 To alternate starts with a teammate of opposite handedness, depending on the handedness of the opposing pitcher
"Taylor has been hitting poorly against left-handers, and Morgan has been hitting poorly against right-handers, so they will platoon."
- 2 To specialize in a particular position or playing style.
"You must understand the rules of football in 1939. There was no platooning, so each man played both offense and defense."
- 3 Of self-driving vehicles: to travel in a close convoy, each vehicle communicating electronically with the others.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"A platoon has about thirty soldiers."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "platoon"?
Common synonyms include: age group, army, army group, arrange, array, band.
How do you use "platoon" in a sentence?
A platoon has about thirty soldiers.
Etymology
From obsolete French plauton, variant of peloton, from Middle French pelote + -on. Doublet of peloton. Compare pellet.