floats 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of float
1
as in hovers
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

floats

2 of 2

noun

plural of float
as in docks
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 floats
Verb
Singers and dancers, marching bands, horseback riders, and floats from communities, organizations and corporations passed an appreciative audience. Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 The site may be gone, but the breached data floats around the dark web. PCMAG, 7 Jan. 2025 Next is a luncheon hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, followed by ceremonial military regiments, marching bands and floats down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025 Chelsea and Arsenal have been heavily linked but, unless anyone floats a fee significantly north of £100million, Newcastle will simply not countenance losing a player who is contracted until 2028. Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024 His New Orleans drawl floats over the speedy hi-hats and rapid drum pattern. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 20 Dec. 2024 Our room was hidden under the earth, where elephants roam above and a breeze floats in from the vast expanses beyond. Lucy Edwards, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Dec. 2024 Annette floats the idea of moving in with Shelly and paying rent, which Shelly shuts down. Eric Andersson, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024 The Pistons’ star floats to the corner for a wide-open three. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for floats
Verb
  • Tumi Alpha Bravo Expedition Flap Backpack While most Tumi luggage hovers around 20 percent off during its after-Christmas sale, the Alpha Bravo Expedition Flap Backpack is a whopping 40 percent off.
    Hillary Maglin, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2024
  • The town hovers high above the Española valley, on a handsome mesa called the Pajarito Plateau.
    Abe Streep, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • As one of the few original Squid Game cast members returning for the second season, Wi Ha-joon will continue his quest as the police officer Hwang Jun-ho, who is desperate to find his missing brother and ultimately wanders into the sadistic games.
    Jeff Benjamin, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Back in the woods, a band of militiamen wanders up to Jamie, beating the living daylights out of Lord John, and intervenes.
    Lincee Ray, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • In truth, both areas suffered in the late 1970s and 80s when unemployment ripped through its docks and shipyards.
    Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Phase 2 will double the number of loading docks, expediting off- and onloading for touring acts like rock shows or Broadway tours.
    Holly V. Hays, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Floats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floats. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

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