platform

UK: /ˈplætfɔː^rm/ US: /ˈplætfɔrm/ ,(plat′fôrm)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

plat•form /ˈplætfɔrm/   n. [countable]

1. a horizontal surface, usually raised above the level of the surrounding area.
2. a raised flooring for use as a stage:
   The speaker mounted the platform.
3. Rail Transport the raised area along the tracks of a railroad station, from which the cars of the train are entered:
   Watch your step on the icy platform.
4. Government a public statement of the principles, aims, goals, etc., esp. of a political party:
   The party's platform called for a ban on abortion.
5. Computing a group of computers that are compatible with each other and can run the same software:
   These programs can all be run from the Macintosh platform.

See -form-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

plat•form  (plat′fôrm), n. 

1. a horizontal surface or structure with a horizontal surface raised above the level of the surrounding area.
2. a raised flooring or other horizontal surface, such as, in a hall or meeting place, a stage for use by public speakers, performers, etc.
3. Rail Transport the raised area between or alongside the tracks of a railroad station, from which the cars of the train are entered.
4. Rail Transport the open entrance area, or the vestibule, at the end of a railroad passenger car.
5. Building a landing in a flight of stairs.
6. Government a public statement of the principles, objectives, and policy of a political party, esp. as put forth by the representatives of the party in a convention to nominate candidates for an election:
   The platform contained the usual platitudes.
7. Government a body of principles on which a person or group takes a stand in appealing to the public;
   program:
   The Fabians developed an all-embracing platform promising utopia.
8. a set of principles;
   plan.
9. a place for public discussion;
   forum.
10. Mining, Civil Engineering a decklike construction on which the drill rig of an offshore oil or gas well is erected.
11. Building a relatively flat member or construction for distributing weight, as a wall plate, grillage, etc.
12. Military
    • solid ground on which artillery pieces are mounted.
    • a metal stand or base attached to certain types of artillery pieces.
13. Nautical, Naval Terms flat¹ (def. 44a).
14. a flat, elevated piece of ground.
15. Geology a vast area of undisturbed sedimentary rocks that, together with a shield, constitutes a craton.
16. Clothing a thick insert of leather, cork, or other sturdy material between the uppers and the sole of a shoe, usually intended for stylish effect or to give added height.
17. Clothing platforms, platform shoes.
18. Computing
    • Computing See hardware platform. 
    • Computing See software platform. 
19. Religion a scheme of religious principles or doctrines.

• Middle French: literally, flat form, plane figure. See plate¹, form
• earlier platte forme 1540–50

plat′form•less, adj. 
Synonyms

• 2. stage, dais, rostrum, pulpit.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

platform / ˈplætfɔːm/ noun

1. a raised floor or other horizontal surface, such as a stage for speakers
2. a raised area at a railway station, from which passengers have access to the trains
3. See drilling platform
4. the declared principles, aims, etc, of a political party, an organization, or an individual
5. the thick raised sole of some high-heeled shoes
6. (as modifier): platform shoes
7. a vehicle or level place on which weapons are mounted and fired
8. a specific type of computer hardware or computer operating system
9. a website or app that acts as a base for a service
10. an opportunity to present one's views in a debate or forum

Etymology: 16th Century: from French plateforme, from plat flat + forme form, layout