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
floated; floating; floats
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
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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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