a military unit that is a subdivision of a company; usually has a headquarters and two or more squads; usually commanded by a lieutenant a team of policemen working under the military platoon system a group of persons who are engaged in a common activity; "platoons of tourists poured out of the busses"; "the defensive platoon of the football team
A platoon is a small group of soldiers, usually one which is commanded by a lieutenant. a small group of soldiers which is part of a company and is led by a lieutenant (peloton , from pelote ). Principal subdivision of a military company, battery, or troop. Usually commanded by a lieutenant, it consists of 25-50 soldiers organized into two or more squads led by noncommissioned officers. The term was first used in the 17th century to refer to a small body of musketeers who fired together in a volley alternately with another platoon. It has been used in U.S. military manuals since 1779, and throughout the 19th century it meant half a company. It was reintroduced into the British army in 1913. See also military unit
Formerly, a body of men who fired together; also, a small square body of soldiers to strengthen the angles of a hollow square
An infantry platoon consists of about 40 personnel in three sections and a platoon headquarters consisting of a platoon commander (normally a Lieutenant) and a platoon 2nd in command (2IC) (normally a Warrant Officer or Sergeant)
A group of vehicles or pedestrians traveling together as a group, either voluntarily or involuntarily due to signal control, geometrics, or other factors