platform

/ˌplætˈfɔərm/

/ˈplætfɔm/

Other forms: platforms

A platform is any raised surface you can stand on, like the platform beside subway tracks where you wait for the train to arrive.

When you're standing on something that's higher than the surrounding area, you can call it a platform, like a train platform or a viewing platform at a historic site. A platform is also the official stance of a politician or a political group, like a platform of improving public education. Also, there is the footwear known as a platform shoe, which has a very thick sole which makes the wearer appear taller, like standing on a platform.

Definitions of platform

1. noun

   a raised horizontal surface
   “the speaker mounted the platform”

   types:

   auction block, block

   a platform from which an auctioneer sells

   bandstand, outdoor stage, stand

   a platform where a (brass) band can play in the open air

   catwalk

   narrow platform extending out into an auditorium

   crow's nest

   platform for a lookout at or near the top of a mast

   ambo, dais, podium, pulpit, rostrum, soapbox, stump

   a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it

   deck

   any of various platforms built into a vessel

   dock, loading dock

   a platform where trucks or trains can be loaded or unloaded

   fly floor, fly gallery

   a narrow raised platform at the side of a stage in a theater; stagehands can work the ropes controlling equipment in the flies

   footboard

   a narrow platform on which to stand or brace the feet

   footplate

   the platform in the cab of a locomotive on which the engineer stands to operate the controls

   foretop

   a platform at the head of a foremast

   landing

   an intermediate platform in a staircase

   landing stage

   platform from which passengers and cargo can be (un)loaded

   launch area, launch pad, launching pad, launchpad, pad

   a platform from which rockets or space craft are launched

   monkey bridge

   a high narrow platform above a deck or in an engine room or boiler room

   pallet

   a portable platform for storing or moving goods that are stacked on it

   dock, pier, wharf, wharfage

   a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats

   ring

   a platform usually marked off by ropes in which contestants box or wrestle

   runway

   a narrow platform extending from the stage into the audience in a theater or nightclub etc.

   scaffold

   a platform from which criminals are executed (hanged or beheaded)

   stage

   a large platform on which people can stand and can be seen by an audience

   microscope stage, stage

   a small platform on a microscope where the specimen is mounted for examination

   stairhead

   platform at the top of a staircase

   top

   platform surrounding the head of a lower mast

   turntable

   a circular horizontal platform that rotates a phonograph record while it is being played

   turntable

   a rotatable platform with a track; used to turn locomotives and cars

   afterdeck

   a deck abaft of midships

   boxing ring, prize ring

   a square ring where boxers fight

   downstage

   the front half of the stage (as seen from the audience)

   flight deck, landing deck

   the upper deck of an aircraft carrier; used as a runway

   foredeck

   the deck between the bridge and the forecastle

   gun deck

   formerly any deck other than the weather deck having cannons from end to end

   awning deck, hurricane deck, hurricane roof, promenade deck

   a deck at the top of a passenger ship

   levee

   a pier that provides a landing place on a river

   lido deck

   an open deck including a swimming pool

   lower deck, third deck

   the deck below the main deck

   main deck, second deck

   the uppermost sheltered deck that runs the entire length of a large vessel

   mise en scene, setting, stage setting

   arrangement of scenery and properties to represent the place where a play or movie is enacted

   fourth deck, orlop, orlop deck

   the fourth or lowest deck

   apron, forestage, proscenium

   the part of a modern theater stage between the curtain and the orchestra (i.e., in front of the curtain)

   quarterdeck

   the stern area of a ship's upper deck

   quay

   wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline

   running board

   a narrow footboard serving as a step beneath the doors of some old cars

   sumo ring

   the circular ring in which Sumo wrestlers compete

   theater stage, theatre stage

   a stage in a theater on which actors can perform

   upper deck

   a higher deck

   backstage, offstage, wing

   a stage area out of sight of the audience

   wrestling ring

   a square ring in which wrestlers compete

   type of:

   horizontal surface, level

   a flat surface at right angles to a plumb line
2. noun

   a woman's shoe with a very high thick sole
   synonyms: chopine

   type of:

   shoe

   footwear shaped to fit the foot (below the ankle) with a flexible upper of leather or plastic and a sole and heel of heavier material
3. noun

   any military structure or vehicle bearing weapons
   synonyms: weapons platform

   types:

   gun enclosure, gun turret, turret

   a self-contained weapons platform housing guns and capable of rotation

   type of:

   construction, structure

   a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
4. noun

   a document stating the aims and principles of a political party
   “their candidate simply ignored the party platform”

   synonyms: political platform, political program, program

   type of:

   document, papers, written document

   writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
5. noun

   the combination of a particular computer and a particular operating system
   type of:

   ADP system, ADPS, automatic data processing system, computer system, computing system

   a system of one or more computers and associated software with common storage