Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Platform \Plat"form`\, v. t.
   1. To place on a platform. [R.]

   2. To form a plan of; to model; to lay out. [Obs.]

            Church discipline is platformed in the Bible.
                                                  --Milton.

Platform \Plat"form`\, n. [Plat, a. + -form: cf. F. plateforme.]
   1. A plat; a plan; a sketch; a model; a pattern. Used also
      figuratively. [Obs.] --Bacon.

   2. A place laid out after a model. [Obs.]

            lf the platform just reflects the order. --Pope.

   3. Any flat or horizontal surface; especially, one that is
      raised above some particular level, as a framework of
      timber or boards horizontally joined so as to form a roof,
      or a raised floor, or portion of a floor; a landing; a
      dais; a stage, for speakers, performers, or workmen; a
      standing place.

   4. A declaration of the principles upon which a person, a
      sect, or a party proposes to stand; a declared policy or
      system; as, the Saybrook platform; a political platform.
      ``The platform of Geneva.'' --Hooker.

   5. (Naut.) A light deck, usually placed in a section of the
      hold or over the floor of the magazine. See {Orlop}.

   {Platform car}, a railway car without permanent raised sides
      or covering; a f?at.

   {Platform scale}, a weighing machine, with a flat platform on
      which objects are weighed.

Source : WordNet®

platform
     n 1: a raised horizontal surface; "the speaker mounted the
          platform"
     2: a document stating the aims and principles of a political
        party; "their candidate simply ignored the party
        platform"; "they won the election even though they offered
        no positive program" [syn: {political platform}, {political
        program}, {program}]
     3: the combination of a particular computer and a particular
        operating system
     4: any military structure or vehicle bearing weapons [syn: {weapons
        platform}]
     5: a woman's shoe with a very high thick sole [syn: {chopine},
        {chopines}, {platforms}]

Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

platform
     
        Specific computer hardware, as in the phrase
        "platform-independent".  It may also refer to a specific
        combination of hardware and {operating system} and/or
        {compiler}, as in "this program has been ported to several
        platforms".  It is also used to refer to support software for
        a particular activity, as in "This program provides a platform
        for research into routing protocols".
     
        (1994-12-07)