platinum

[ plat-n-uhm, plat-nuhm ]

noun

1. Chemistry. a heavy, grayish-white, highly malleable and ductile metallic element, resistant to most chemicals, practically unoxidizable except in the presence of bases, and fusible only at extremely high temperatures: used for making chemical and scientific apparatus, as a catalyst in the oxidation of ammonia to nitric acid, and in jewelry. : Pt; : 195.09; : 78; : 21.5 at 20°C.
2. a light, metallic gray with very slight bluish tinge when compared with silver.

adjective

1. made of platinum.
2. (of an audio recording) having sold a minimum of one million copies.

platinum

/ ˈplætɪnəm /

noun

1. a ductile malleable silvery-white metallic element, very resistant to heat and chemicals. It occurs free and in association with other platinum metals, esp in osmiridium: used in jewellery, laboratory apparatus, electrical contacts, dentistry, electroplating, and as a catalyst. Symbol: Pt; atomic no: 78; atomic wt: 195.08; valency: 1–4; relative density: 21.45; melting pt: 1769°C; boiling pt: 3827±100°C
2. 1. a medium to light grey colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      a platinum carpet

platinum

/ plăt′n-əm /

1. A soft, ductile, malleable, silver-white metallic element that usually occurs with osmium, iridium, palladium, or nickel. It has a high melting point and does not corrode in air. Platinum is used as a catalyst and in making jewelry, electrical contacts, and dental crowns. Atomic number 78; atomic weight 195.08; melting point 1,772°C; boiling point 3,827°C; specific gravity 21.45; valence 2, 3, 4.
2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of platinum¹

1805–15; < New Latin, alteration of earlier platina < Spanish; platina

Word History and Origins

Origin of platinum¹

C19: New Latin, from platina , on the model of other metals with the suffix -um

Example Sentences

Twelve years later, it sold its 300,000th copy in the UK, gaining the band their first ever platinum record, 30 years after they formed.

From BBC

One Direction lasted a jam-packed six years, dropping songs like the certified quadruple platinum hit "What Makes You Beautiful" and Billboard hit "Story of Our Lives."

From Salon

There are T-shirts and turntables for sale, and the walls are covered with music posters and platinum record awards.

From Los Angeles Times

He called water the “platinum issue in California,” and one Schiff doesn’t know how to fix.

From Los Angeles Times

It enables a tiny fragment of real ruby to multiply as it sits in its platinum jewellery setting.

From BBC

Related Words

• gold
• iron
• metal
• mineral