platoon

[ pluh-toon ]

noun

1. a military unit consisting of two or more squads or sections and a headquarters.
2. a small unit of a police force.
3. a company or group of persons:

   a platoon of visitors.

4. Football. a group of players specially trained in one aspect of the game, as offense or defense, and used as a unit:

   a halfback on the offensive platoon.

verb (used with object)

1. Sports.
   1. to use (a player) at a position in a game alternately with another player or players.
   2. to alternate (two different teams or units), as separate offensive and defensive squads.

verb (used without object)

1. Sports.
   1. to alternate at a position with another player or players.
   2. to use players alternately at the same position.
   3. to alternate different teams.

platoon

/ pləˈtuːn /

noun

1. military a subunit of a company usually comprising three sections of ten to twelve men: commanded by a lieutenant
2. a group or unit of people, esp one sharing a common activity, characteristic, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of platoon¹

1630–40; earlier plotton < French peloton little ball, group, platoon, diminutive of pelote ball. See pellet, -oon

Word History and Origins

Origin of platoon¹

C17: from French peloton little ball, group of men, from pelote ball; see pellet

Example Sentences

In one instance, Grasso alleged the lieutenant referred to her as an “enemy of the platoon,” a label he also applied to Colomey and others.

From Los Angeles Times

The Princeton and Harvard graduate served as an infantry platoon leader in Guantanamo Bay and Iraq, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

From BBC

Callum Tindal-Draper's family said they were informed by the 4th International Legion that the 22-year-old from Cornwall had been killed in action while the foreign volunteer platoon defended an observation point on 5 November.

From BBC

Currently, the Dodgers don’t have an established everyday outfielder on their roster, with only platoon bats such as Andy Pages, Chris Taylor and James Outman under club control for next season.

From Los Angeles Times

His platoon commander said his admiration for Fuslilier Wilkes' wit, mischief and cheeky nature, which "made his life difficult", also made him hard to discipline.

From BBC

Related Words

• batch
• detachment
• patrol
• squad
• squadron