ENGLISH
REFERENCE

platform

n. countable
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈpɫætˌfɔɹm// UK //plˈætfɔːm// plat·form Archaic General-service

n. a flat, raised surface that people stand on. You often use this word for the place where you wait for a train or the stage where someone gives a speech.

n. a raised level surface on which people or things can stand. In a transport context, it refers specifically to the area alongside a railway track where passengers board or alight.


SIMPLE

The train for London leaves from platform four.

CONTEXTUAL

The politician stood on a small wooden platform to address the crowd gathered in the town square.

COMPLEX

Commuters crowded onto the narrow platform, peering down the tracks for any sign of the delayed morning express.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle French plateforme (“a flat form”), from plate (“flat”) (from Old French plat, from Ancient Greek πλατύς (platús, “flat”)) + forme (“form”) (from Latin fōrma (“shape; figure; form”)); compare flatscape.

Usage

Commonly used with the preposition 'on' when referring to physical location.

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