flotation

noun

flo·​ta·​tion flō-ˈtā-shən 

variants or less commonly floatation

1

: the act, process, or state of floating

2

: an act or instance of financing (such as an issue of stock)

3

: the separation of the particles of a mass of pulverized ore according to their relative capacity for floating on a given liquid

also : any of various similar processes involving the relative capacity of materials for floating

4

: the ability (as of a tire or snowshoes) to stay on the surface of soft ground or snow

Examples of flotation in a Sentence

fills the tanks with air for flotation

the flotation of a currency

Recent Examples on the Web

His Drown Zero initiative is working to install flotation ring stands in all areas where there is the potential for someone to end up in distress. —Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025

Shein appears to be abandoning its hopes for a flotation in London. —Niamh Rowe, Quartz, 28 May 2025

In a similar challenge to an IPO in 2023, environmental law group ClientEarth applied for a judicial review after the FCA approved oil producer Ithaca Energy's flotation, but the High Court denied the application saying it could not be proved the FCA had failed to disclose material risks. —Helen Reid, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025

Rescue crews secured him in place with a rope line and gave him a helmet and a flotation vest, Unified Fire Authority said in the post. —Brooke Baitinger, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

float entry 2 + -ation

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing flotation

• flotation device

Rhymes for flotation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

flotation

noun

flo·​ta·​tion

variants also floatation

flō-ˈtā-shən

1

: the act, process, or state of floating

2

: the separation of the particles of a mass of ground ore according to how they compare in ability to float on a liquid