noun
platoon
pluh-TOON
noun
1
A military unit of roughly thirty to forty soldiers, usually commanded by a lieutenant, forming part of a larger company.
"The platoon advanced under cover of darkness."
verb
1
In sports, to alternate two or more players in the same position depending on the situation.
"The coach platoons his two best pitchers depending on the opposing lineup."
How to Use Platoon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small military unit, or (in sports) rotating players by matchup.
Common pairings
army platoon
platoon leader
platoon system
Word Forms
platooned past tense, platoons plural, platoons singular
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The _____ advanced under cover of darkness.
Etymology
From French peloton, literally "little ball" or "small group," the same root that gives cycling's "peloton."