platoon

A subdivision of a company of troops consisting of two or more squads or sections and usually commanded by a lieutenant.

A group of people working, traveling, or assembled together.

A group of players within a team, especially a football team, that is trained and sent into or withdrawn from play as a unit.

To play (a player) in alternation with another player in the same position.

To use alternate players at the same position.

To take turns playing a position with another player.

A small body of soldiers or musketeers, drawn out of a battalion of foot to form a hollow square to strengthen the angles of some military formation or position; or, a small body acting together, but separate from the main body.

A number of soldiers, as large as is convenient for drill, etc., drawn up in two ranks, usually from 15 to 25 in each rank; hence (since a company of infantry is habitually divided into two platoons), half of a company considered as a separate body.

Formerly, a body of men who fired together; also, a small square body of soldiers to strengthen the angles of a hollow square.

Now, in the United States service, half of a company.