platoon meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

platoon

noun

UK /pləˈtuːn/

Etymology From obsolete French plauton, variant of peloton, from Middle French pelote + -on. Doublet of peloton. Compare pellet.

Government, Military, Politics, War A unit of thirty to forty soldiers typically commanded by a lieutenant and forming part of a company.

Needless to say, one's seat must be booked in advance and a platoon of urbane officials, one to each door of the train, awaits passengers to usher them to their seats and relieve them of their bulkier baggage.1960 March, G. Freeman Allen, “Europe's most luxurious express - the "Settebello"”, in Trains Illustrated, page 140:

A subdivision of a fire company, led by a captain or lieutenant.

A group of self-driving vehicles travelling in a close convoy and communicating electronically with each other.

Education Historical A group of children in the platoon grouping education system.

Derived terms: platooner, platoonmate

platoon

verb

Etymology From obsolete French plauton, variant of peloton, from Middle French pelote + -on. Doublet of peloton. Compare pellet.

Ball games, Baseball, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports To alternate starts with a teammate of opposite handedness, depending on the handedness of the opposing pitcher

Taylor has been hitting poorly against left-handers, and Morgan has been hitting poorly against right-handers, so they will platoon.

Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports To specialize in a particular position or playing style.

You must understand the rules of football in 1939. There was no platooning, so each man played both offense and defense.2014, The Cedar Rapids Gazette, Greatest Moments in Iowa Hawkeyes Football History:

Of self-driving vehicles: to travel in a close convoy, each vehicle communicating electronically with the others.

Related terms: platoon system

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.