float

1 of 2

noun

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

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
The canoes may also have been outfitted with sails, outriggers or support floats, the study suggests. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024 Vent steam: Carefully turn steam release handle to VENTING position, and let steam fully escape (float valve will drop). Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2024 The floats will be judged by a panel of judges, with a winner crowned at the end of the parade. Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2024 Grab your solar glasses and a favorite hoop skirt, a downtown Greenwood spot known for its root beer floats, tenderloins and taste for nostalgia is reopening in time for a total solar eclipse. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Mar. 2024 The Grand Caravan has served all over the world with a versatility no other turboprop can match: carting freight for FedEx, military missions, amphibian flights with floats, passenger transport, air ambulances, and delivering humanitarian aid. Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024 As Gorman places beer bottles in metal ice buckets — Conway’s Irish Ale, appropriately — the sound of the school band practicing floats down the hallway. Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024 The dozens of colorful, eccentric floats told the story of Irish legacy in Corktown and honored Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick. Detroit Free Press, 11 Mar. 2024 Each new discovery floats in the news cycle for a day, or a week, and vanishes. Alma Guillermoprieto, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024
Verb
Teachers get help from 10 paraprofessionals who float around the school's 17 classrooms. Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2024 In New York, after Yankee stadium was deserted, the ghosts and legends of The House that Ruth Built had only to look out for traffic, then float across the street to get back to their haunting. Ellen Murphy, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024 Police also shut down the dam to inspect debris that floated to the surface, CBS affiliate WTVF reported. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2024 Towns’ name could be floated in rumors if Minnesota flames out of the postseason early. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2024 Located on the second floor, the lounge floats just before the main terminal, creating an elevated airy feeling. Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Mar. 2024 Amid the controversy over Schumer's remarks, House Republicans have floated sending an invitation to Netanyahu to address Congress. Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2024 How about an out-of-nowhere drop shot floated from the baseline? Gerald Marzorati, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2024 Pelicans and ducks float alongside farmers’ boats and the colorful trajineras that transport tourists. Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'float.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of float was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near float

Cite this Entry

“Float.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/float. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

float

1 of 2 noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on float

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