float

1 of 2

noun

ˈflōt 

1

: an act or instance of floating

2

: something that floats in or on the surface of a fluid: such as

a

: a device (such as a cork) buoying up the baited end of a fishing line

b

: a floating platform anchored near a shoreline for use by swimmers or boats

c

: a hollow ball that floats at the end of a lever in a cistern, tank, or boiler and regulates the liquid level

d

: a sac containing air or gas and buoying up the body of a plant or animal

e

: a watertight structure giving an airplane buoyancy on water

3

: a tool or apparatus for smoothing a surface (as of wet concrete)

4

: a government grant of a fixed amount of land not yet located by survey out of a larger specific tract

5

: a vehicle with a platform used to carry an exhibit in a parade

also : the vehicle and exhibit together

6

a

: an amount of money represented by checks outstanding and in process of collection

b

: the time between a transaction (such as the writing of a check or a purchase on credit) and the actual withdrawal of funds to cover it

c

: the volume of a company's shares available for active trading in the auction market

7

: a soft drink with ice cream floating in it

float

2 of 2

verb

floated; floating; floats

intransitive verb

1

: to rest on the surface of or be suspended in a fluid

2

a

: to drift on or through or as if on or through a fluid

yellow leaves floated down

b

: wander

3

of a currency : to find a level in the international exchange market in response to the law of supply and demand and without any restrictive effect of artificial support or control

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to float in or on the surface of a fluid

b

: to cause to float as if in a fluid

2

: flood

float a cranberry bog

3

: to smooth (something, such as plaster or cement) with a float

4

a

: to put forth for acceptance

float a proposal

b

: to place (an issue of securities) on the market

c

: to obtain money for the establishment or development of (an enterprise) by issuing and selling securities

d

: negotiate

float a loan

Synonyms

Noun

• dock
• jetty
• landing
• levee
• pier
• quai
• quay
• wharf

Verb

• drift
• glide
• hang
• hover
• poise
• ride
• sail
• swim
• waft

Examples of float in a Sentence

Noun

We are building a float for the homecoming parade.

the crew put the cargo on the float before heading back down the river

Verb

She was floating on her back.

ice floating in the river

Will this material sink or float?

dust floating through the air

The incoming tide will eventually float the ship off the reef.

They floated the logs down the river.

She floated gracefully across the stage.

His voice floated to the back of the room.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Rose Parade floats will be on display near Victory Park in Pasadena on New Year’s Day. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024

The route travels down North Michigan Avenue with floats, helium balloons and marching bands from across the U.S. putting on musical performances. —Erica Lamberg, Fox News, 23 Dec. 2024

Verb

Pictures showed part of the pier floating away in the water, while restrooms from the end of the wharf were seen floating beyond the main beach in footage captured by KTVU. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

That served to keep things fresh after four seasons; S5 will focus on the death of the building's doorman, found floating in the Arcadia's fountain in the season finale. —Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English flote boat, float, from Old English flota ship; akin to Old High German flōz raft, stream, Old English flēotan to float — more at fleet

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing float

• dead man's float
• float glass
• milk float

Kids Definition

float

1 of 2 noun

ˈflōt 

1

: an act or instance of floating

2

: something that floats: as

a

: a device (as a cork) that holds up the baited end of a fishing line

b

: a floating platform anchored near a shoreline for use by swimmers or boats

c

: a hollow ball that controls the flow or level of the liquid it floats on (as in a tank)

d

: a watertight structure that holds up an airplane on water

3

: a vehicle with a platform used to carry an exhibit in a parade

also : the vehicle and exhibit together

4

: a drink consisting of ice cream floating in a beverage

float

2 of 2 verb

1

: to rest on the surface of a fluid

2

: to drift on or through or as if on or through a fluid

dust floating through the air

3

: to cause to float

float logs down a river

floater noun

Legal Definition

float

1 of 2 noun

1

: an amount of money represented by checks outstanding and in process of collection

2

: the time between a transaction (as the writing of a check or a purchase on credit) and the actual withdrawal of funds to cover it

float

2 of 2 intransitive verb

of a currency : to find a level in the international exchange market in response to the law of supply and demand and without any restrictive effect of artificial support or control

transitive verb

1

: to place (an issue of securities) on the market

2

: to obtain money for the establishment or development of (an enterprise) by issuing and selling securities

3

: negotiate sense 1

float a loan