platform

Universal Words noun at train station 1 the raised flat area beside the track at a train station where you get on or off the train: (BrE) What platform does it go from? * (BrE) The train now standing at platform 1 is for Leeds. * The train drew into the platform. compareTRACK for performers 2 a flat surface raised above the level of the ground or floor, used by public speakers or performers so that the audience can see them: Coming onto the platform now is tonight's conductor, Jane Glover. * Representatives of both parties shared a platform (= they spoke at the same meeting). for equipment 3 a raised level surface for example one that equipment stands on or is operated from: an oil / gas platform * a launch platform (= for spacecraft) * a viewing platform giving stunning views over the valley politics / opinions 4 [usuallysing.] the aims of a political party and the things that they say they will do if they are elected to power: They are campaigning on an anti-immigration platform. * They fought the election on a platform of low taxes. 5 an opportunity or a place for sb to express their opinions publicly or make progress in a particular area: She used the newspaper column as a platform for her feminist views. computing 6 the type of computer system or the SOFTWARE that is used: an IBM platform * a multimedia platform shoes 7 a high thick sole of a shoe: platform shoes on bus 8 (BrE) the open part at the back of a DOUBLE-DECKER bus where you get on or off ______________________________ BRITISH/AMERICAN platform / track In British stations the platforms, where passengers get on and off trains, have different numbers: The Edinburgh train is waiting at platform 4. In stations in the USA, it is the track that the train travels along that has a number: The train for Chicago is on track 9. ______________________________