¹platinum

noun, plat·i·num often attributive \ˈplat-nəm, ˈpla-tə-nəm\

: a heavy, silver-colored metal that is difficult to melt and that is used especially in expensive jewelry

Full Definition of PLATINUM

: 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 element table

: a moderate gray

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Origin of PLATINUM

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

First Known Use: 1808

²platinum

adjective

Definition of PLATINUM

: qualifying for a platinum record

— go platinum

: to have enough sales to qualify for a platinum record

First Known Use of PLATINUM

1971

GO PLATINUM Defined for Kids

platinum

noun plat·i·num \ˈpla-tə-nəm\

Definition of PLATINUM for Kids

: a heavy grayish white metallic chemical element

Medical Dictionary

platinum

noun plat·i·num \ˈplat-nəm, -^ən-əm\

Medical Definition of PLATINUM

: 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 element table