float 1 of 2

1
as in to hover
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air a canoe floating down the river particles of dust floating in the air

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2

float

2 of 2

noun

as in dock
a structure used by boats and ships for taking on or landing cargo and passengers the crew put the cargo on the float before heading back down the river

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of float
Verb
In February, the outlet Parade spoke to a source who floated two potential locations for Season 4, one of which was Egypt. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025 Grab a spot on the front porch and watch boats float by on the river. Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
Older kids will love watching the charming and clever Ferris fake sick, convince his best friend Cameron to skip school, and take over Chicago, even making a scene on a parade float. Kara Nesvig, Parents, 12 Mar. 2025 Alliance Time float from Alliance Rubber Co. Northwoods Trails performing group. Staff Reports, arkansasonline.com, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for float
Recent Examples of Synonyms for float
Verb
  • Her chances of winning have hovered around the 80 percent mark since March 17.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Trillion-dollar deficits are no longer shocking, and interest expense alone is hovering around record levels.
    Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • According to the American Emu Association, the birds — which are native to Australia — are often considered livestock, and it's usually recommended that owners have at least one acre of land for the bird to roam.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Fewer crowds, more room to roam, and a slower, sweeter pace—this is Pismo Beach as it was meant to be experienced. Pismo Beach on a Tuesday?
    Cliff Lewis, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The basin sits on a dock, the stainless steel bowl snaps on top of the basin for easy cleaning and refilling, and the basin holds 130 milliliters in the bowl at all times in case of power outage.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Photo : Ellis Creek Photography A 150-foot tidal dock boasts canoe and water sport platforms.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In the seventh, Fernando Tatis Jr. crushed a solo home run that sailed over the left field fence and onto the new two-story A’s club house, a 406-foot shot for a Padres 5-3 lead, and A’s ace Luis Severino dropped to 0-2 on the season despite an otherwise solid outing.
    Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The boat sails off into the sunset, Timothy smiling out over the waves, and we’re deprived any meaningful fallout.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The banal village tunes that Mahler altered into sinister mock vulgarities—did these not recall the raffish klezmer bands, the wandering musicians who played at shtetl weddings?
    David Denby, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The vehicle wandered across the road far more than any already ill-handling Defender should, its brakes were weak, and gear shifts were accompanied by a prominent clunk.
    Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • California wharf collapse sends 3 people into the ocean (NBC News) American Airlines is boarding flights again, and the FAA lifts its nationwide groundstop (CNN) Follow me on Twitter.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
  • What’s unique is how it’s split across three levels: the water level for boats; the upper pavement level for pedestrians; and the central middle level, which houses Utrecht’s wharf cellars, many of which have been transformed into atmospheric bankside cafes, bars, and restaurants.
    Gurdeep Loyal, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Go with the flow, but not toward the beach: Don't swim towards the beach against the rip current.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Watch diver swim alongside massive sunfish in Mexico Download USA TODAY's app to get to the heart of news A $2,300 iPhone?
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But with the wind howling in Tuesday at Rate Field, left fielder Andrew Benintendi drifted over and made the catch.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Since then it’s drifted much farther away and has dimmed considerably.
    Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Float.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/float. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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