platinum

1 of 2

noun

plat·​i·​num ˈpla-tə-nəm How to pronounce platinum (audio)
ˈplat-nəm
often attributive
1
: a precious grayish-white noncorroding ductile malleable heavy metallic element that fuses with difficulty and is used especially in chemical ware and apparatus, as a catalyst, and in dental and jewelry alloys see Chemical Elements Table
2
: a moderate gray

platinum

2 of 2

adjective

: qualifying for a platinum record
Phrases
go platinum
: to have enough sales to qualify for a platinum record

Examples of platinum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
No, that's not just a reference to Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie's choice of platinum ticket winner in this week's episode of ABC's singing competition (Sundays, 8 p.m. ET/PT), which was a bit of a head-scratcher. — Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025 For instance, a durable metal like platinum is unlikely to change color over time, Gizzi said. — Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Strait's 40-plus year career is unprecedented Strait’s music career spans more than four decades and includes 60 No.1 singles and 33 platinum and multi-platinum albums. — Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 20 Nov. 2024 Along with The World Is a Ghetto and All Day Music, WAR counts 17 gold, platinum or multi-platinum albums in its catalog. — Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for platinum

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin, from Spanish platina, from diminutive of plata silver — more at plate

First Known Use

Noun

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of platinum was in 1794

Phrases Containing platinum

Browse Nearby Words

platinum
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Platinum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platinum. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

platinum

1 of 2 noun
plat·​i·​num ˈplat-nəm How to pronounce platinum (audio)
-ᵊn-əm
: a heavy precious grayish white metallic element that is used especially as a catalyst and in jewelry see element

platinum

2 of 2 adjective
: qualifying for a platinum record

Medical Definition

platinum

noun
plat·​i·​num ˈplat-nəm, -ᵊn-əm How to pronounce platinum (audio)
: a heavy precious grayish white noncorroding ductile malleable metallic element that fuses with difficulty and is used especially in chemical ware and apparatus, as a catalyst, and in dental and jewelry alloys
—symbol Pt see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on platinum

Nglish: Translation of platinum for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about platinum

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All