Ask Difference

Platform vs. Landing — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 1, 2024
Platforms are flat surfaces elevated above the ground, designed for various activities like train boarding, while landings are intermediate levels between flights of stairs, aiding in direction changes or resting.
Platform vs. Landing — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Platform and Landing

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Key Differences

Platforms are typically constructed as raised flat areas used for specific purposes such as railway stations or stages for performances, where elevation is needed to facilitate activities. On the other hand, landings are built as part of a staircase and serve as stopping or resting points between long flights of stairs, or to allow changes in the direction of the staircases.
Platforms often feature in transportation hubs, such as bus or train stations, where they provide the necessary height and accessibility for passengers to board vehicles safely. Whereas, landings are found primarily in multi-story buildings, providing a functional space to pause and often enhancing the safety of the staircase by breaking up long stretches of steps.
Platforms can be found both indoors and outdoors, and are constructed from a variety of materials including concrete, wood, or metal, depending on their intended use. Conversely, landings are typically indoors and are usually made of the same materials as the rest of the staircase, ensuring aesthetic and structural continuity.
Platforms may be equipped with various facilities such as benches, shelters, and information boards to accommodate and inform users. While landings might include features like additional lighting, handrails, and sometimes seating, particularly in public or commercial buildings.
Platforms require specific safety features, such as non-slip surfaces and barrier edges, to protect users from falls or accidents. On the other hand, landings are designed with safety in mind as well, often incorporating features like railings and adequate space to meet building codes and ensure user safety.
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Comparison Chart

Location

Indoors and outdoors
Indoors

Purpose

Boarding, performances
Rest, direction change

Safety Features

Non-slip surfaces, barriers
Railings, adequate space

Construction

Various materials
Same as staircase

Additional Features

Benches, shelters, info boards
Lighting, handrails, seating

Compare with Definitions

Platform

Elevated work area.
The workers used a platform to reach the higher sections of the wall.

Landing

Disembarking area.
They reached the landing where the boats were moored.

Platform

Political agenda.
The party's platform focused on healthcare reform.

Landing

Aircraft arrival.
The pilot executed a smooth landing despite the weather.

Platform

Raised level surface.
The platform at the train station was crowded with commuters.

Landing

Delivering goods.
The supplies made a safe landing on the dock.

Platform

Broadcasting term.
The debate was broadcast across multiple platforms.

Landing

Staircase rest area.
The landing between the floors provided a space to rest.

Platform

Technological base.
The software provides a platform for managing data.

Landing

Real estate term.
The apartment’s landing was decorated with plants.

Platform

A raised level surface on which people or things can stand
There are viewing platforms where visitors may gape at the chasm

Landing

Landing is the last part of a flight, where a flying animal, aircraft, or spacecraft returns to the ground. When the flying object returns to water, the process is called alighting, although it is commonly called "landing", "touchdown"a or "splashdown" as well.

Platform

The declared policy of a political party or group
Seeking election on a platform of low taxes

Landing

The act or process of coming to land or rest, especially after a voyage or flight.

Platform

A shoe with very thick soles
Yellow platform shoes
A pair of chunky platforms

Landing

A termination, especially of a voyage or flight.

Platform

A horizontal surface raised above the level of the adjacent area, as a stage for public speaking or a landing alongside railroad tracks.

Landing

A site for loading and unloading passengers and cargo.

Platform

A vessel, such as a submarine or an aircraft carrier, from which weapons can be deployed.

Landing

Landings An amount of fish or shellfish harvested in a particular place during a particular period.

Platform

An oil platform.

Landing

An intermediate platform on a flight of stairs.

Platform

A place, means, or opportunity for public expression of opinion
A journal that served as a platform for radical views.

Landing

The area at the top or bottom of a staircase.

Platform

A vestibule at the end of a railway car.

Landing

An arrival at a surface, as of an airplane or any descending object.

Platform

A formal declaration of the principles on which a group, such as a political party, makes its appeal to the public.

Landing

A place on a shoreline where a boat lands.
Fleet landing

Platform

A thick layer, as of leather or cork, between the inner and outer soles of a shoe, giving added height.

Landing

A level area at the top of a flight of stairs, or connecting one flight with another.

Platform

A shoe having such a construction.

Landing

Present participle of land

Platform

(Computers) The basic technology of a computer system's hardware and software that defines how a computer is operated and determines what other kinds of software can be used.

Landing

Of, pertaining to, or used for, setting, bringing, or going, on shore.

Platform

A flat elevated portion of ground.

Landing

A going or bringing on shore.

Platform

The ancient, stable, interior layer of a continental craton composed of igneous or metamorphic rocks covered by a thin layer of sedimentary rock.

Landing

A place for landing, as from a ship, a carriage. etc.

Platform

A raised stage from which speeches are made and on which musical and other performances are made.

Landing

The level part of a staircase, at the top of a flight of stairs, or connecting one flight with another.

Platform

A raised floor for any purpose, e.g. for workmen during construction, or formerly for military cannon.

Landing

The act or process of bringing an aircraft to land after having been in the air; as, the pilot made a perfect three-point landing. Contrasted with take-off.

Platform

(figurative) A place or an opportunity to express one's opinion.
This new talk show will give a platform to everyday men and women.

Landing

An intermediate platform in a staircase

Platform

(figurative) Something that allows an enterprise to advance.

Landing

Structure providing a place where boats can land people or goods

Platform

A political stance on a broad set of issues, which are called planks.

Landing

The act of coming down to the earth (or other surface);
The plane made a smooth landing
His landing on his feet was catlike

Platform

(rail) A raised structure from which passengers can enter or leave a train, metro etc.
Island platform

Landing

The act of coming to land after a voyage

Platform

Ellipsis of platform shoea kind of high shoe with an extra layer between the inner and outer soles.

Platform

(Internet) digital platform: a software system used to provide online services to clients, such as social media, e-commerce, cloud computing etc.

Platform

(computing) computing platform: a particular type of operating system or environment such as a database or other specific software, and/or a particular type of computer or microprocessor, used to describe a particular environment for running other software.
That program runs on the X Window System platform.

Platform

(automotive) car platform: a set of components shared by several vehicle models.

Platform

(geology) A flat expanse of rock, often the result of wave erosion.

Platform

(nautical) A light deck, usually placed in a section of the hold or over the floor of the magazine.

Platform

(obsolete) A plan; a sketch; a model; a pattern.

Platform

(Myanmar) sidewalk

Platform

(transitive) To furnish with or shape into a platform

Platform

(transitive) To place on, or as if on, a platform.

Platform

(rail) To place a train alongside a station platform.

Platform

To include in a political platform

Platform

(transitive) To publish or make visible; to provide a platform for (a topic etc.).

Platform

To open (a film) in a small number of theaters before a broader release in order to generate enthusiasm.

Platform

To form a plan of; to model; to lay out.

Platform

A plat; a plan; a sketch; a model; a pattern. Used also figuratively.

Platform

A place laid out after a model.
Lf the platform just reflects the order.

Platform

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.

Platform

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.

Platform

A light deck, usually placed in a section of the hold or over the floor of the magazine. See Orlop.

Platform

To place on a platform.

Platform

To form a plan of; to model; to lay out.
Church discipline is platformed in the Bible.

Platform

A raised horizontal surface;
The speaker mounted the platform

Platform

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

Platform

The combination of a particular computer and a particular operating system

Platform

Any military structure or vehicle bearing weapons

Platform

A woman's shoe with a very high thick sole

Common Curiosities

What is the primary function of a platform?

Platforms serve primarily to facilitate activities at an elevated level, such as boarding trains or buses.

What distinguishes a platform from a stage?

A stage is specifically designed for performances and may have additional features like lighting and sound systems, whereas a platform can have a broader range of uses.

Can a landing be part of safety design in architecture?

Yes, landings are integral to safety design, providing necessary breaks in long staircases and helping in emergency evacuations.

How does the purpose of a landing differ in buildings?

In buildings, landings provide a pause between flights of stairs, can help in changing directions, and enhance safety.

Are there outdoor landings?

Yes, outdoor landings exist, especially in outdoor staircases or as part of landscape architecture.

What is the significance of platform design in transportation hubs?

Platform design has numerous advantages in transport hubs including raised level surface.

Can platforms be used for performances?

Yes, platforms can be specially designed for performances, such as in theaters or outdoor venues.

What safety features are common on landings?

Common safety features on landings include railings and adequate lighting to prevent accidents.

How are platforms adapted for various uses?

Platforms can be adapted with specific features like ramps for accessibility, shelters for weather protection, and seating for comfort.

What materials are commonly used to construct platforms?

Common materials include concrete for durability, wood for aesthetics, and metal for structural strength.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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