—platform /ˈplæt.fɔːm/ aep /-fɔːrm/
noun (IDEAS)
C2 [C usually singular] an opportunity to make your ideas or beliefs known publicly:
» By refusing to give us a grant to make this programme, they are denying us a platform.Thesaurus+: ↑Opportunity , ↑Freedom to actThesaurus+: ↑Ideas, concepts and theoriesF0 [S] all the things that a political party promises to do if they are elected:
» We campaigned on a platform of low taxation.Thesaurus+: ↑Politics• • •
Extra Examples:» The television has provided the evangelists with yet another platform for their proselytizing.» This generous grant will provide a platform for new research and development.» These kind of TV-shows provide the platform for opinionated people to express their views.» the Labour party platform» a strong gay rights platformnoun (STRUCTURE)
B2 [C] a flat raised area or structure
Thesaurus+: ↑Floors and parts of floorsA2 [C] a long, flat raised structure at a railway station, where people get on and off trains:
» The train for Cambridge will depart from platform 9.See picture: platform .jpg)
Thesaurus+: ↑Train and bus stations and taxi ranks
F0 [C] the raised part of the floor in a large room, from which you make a speech or give a musical performance:
» Speaker after speaker mounted/took the platform to denounce the policy.» This brilliant young violinist has appeared on concert platforms all round the world.Thesaurus+: ↑Floors and parts of floorsthe platform UKF0 the people who are up on a platform in order to speak to an audience:
» An elderly lady stood up and said she had a question for the platform.» The platform party (= the group on the platform) applauded loudly.Thesaurus+: ↑Groups of people• • •
Extra Examples:» All southbound trains leave from platform one.» Three men were feared dead last night after a helicopter veered off course into an oil platform.» I slipped as I stepped onto the platform.» He mounted the platform and began to speak to the assembled crowd.» Passengers wishing to take the Kings Cross train should go to platform 9.noun [C] (COMPUTING)
► F0 the type of computer system you are using, in connection with the type of software (= computer programs) you can use on it: » This new personal banking software can be used with any Windows platform.Thesaurus+: ↑Computer hardware