platform

The area beside railway tracks where people wait for, board, or leave trains.

• Our train leaves from platform two.
• Passengers waited on the crowded platform.
• Which platform does the next train leave from?

Common phrases: station platform, platform number three, on the platform

An opportunity or place to share your ideas with an audience.

• The show gave her a platform.
• He used his platform to call for change.
• Local radio provides a platform for community debate.

How to use it: platform for someone/something (The festival provides a platform for young artists.); platform to do something (The interview gave her a platform to explain her views.)

Similar words: forum, outlet

Common phrases: platform for something, give someone platform, public platform

A computer system or software environment on which other programs run.

• The app works on this platform.
• Developers tested the software on two different platforms.
• Which platform does your database use?

How to use it: on a platform (The program runs on several platforms.)

Similar words: environment, system

Common phrases: software platform, computing platform, run on platform

A raised area where people stand to speak or perform in front of others.

• The singer stood on a platform.
• Workers built a wooden platform for the band.
• She stepped onto the platform to address the crowd.

Similar words: stage, podium

Common phrases: raised platform, stand on platform, platform for speakers