float

1 of 2

noun

ˈflōt 

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

Synonyms

Noun

• dock
• jetty
• landing
• levee
• pier
• quai
• quay
• wharf

Verb

• drift
• glide
• hang
• hover
• poise
• ride
• sail
• swim
• waft

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

There’s a Bluey float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2024

The replica made its debut on the school’s float in the 42nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in January. —Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024

Will Fisher, president of the Prescott group, often rides in the float, tossing candy to children in the historic Mexican city that's about a two-hour drive southeast of Lukeville. —The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024

Nowadays, Moon Pies are tossed from floats during Mardi Gras. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 6 Apr. 2024

Tastefully hand-painted and crafted of 100% natural rubber, the new Sophie bath toy floats and is soft enough for your little one to chew on. —Christin Perry, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024

The number of shares available to trade – called the public float – is about 28 million. —Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024

Amenities will include indoor/outdoor treatment rooms, water therapy, float tank, acupuncture, skincare, body therapies, fitness classes, yoga, and more. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2024

Wear a visible hat, take a tow float and consider a thermal wet suit for buoyancy. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024

Verb

Among its highlights are an atrium-style foyer with a floating staircase illuminated by a massive domed skylight; a channel of water that cuts through the living room; a dining room table that seats 20; a lavish games/billiards lounge; and a spa complex with a cold pool and sauna. —Mark David, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2024

Once the four plane passengers — the pilot and three anglers from Chicago— were safely in the boat, Johnson headed for the Pelican, a floating lodge that caters to Chandeleurs fishermen. —Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 18 Apr. 2024

Here’s betting it’s positioned in one of the DCA expansion areas near the Pixar Place Hotel, as that would allow the company to give the James Cameron property a plethora of space, especially if Disney must hide a large show building behind an illusion of floating mountains. —Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024

There is a floating gun unit in a lake outside Los Angeles. —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Apr. 2024

Gallery walls, floating shelves, slipcovered sofas (searches for linen couch covers are up by 351%), and colorful rugs all contribute to creating a space where any of the characters on Friends would feel right at home. —Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2024

Pittsburgh officials closed several bridges after more than two dozen barges broke loose late Friday and floated uncontrolled down the Ohio River, some plunging over local dams. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024

Seeking to discredit what became a special counsel inquiry, Mr. Trump and his allies floated conspiracy theories that misconduct by intelligence agencies lurked in the origins of the Russia investigation. —Alan Feuer, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024

Be sure to visit this Blue Ridge Parkway town and its namesake geological formation — an ancient gneiss outcrop whose rocky bulk causes the wind to blow vertically, making objects appear to float skyward. —Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024

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

Phrases Containing float

• dead man's float
• float glass
• milk float

Kids Definition

float

1 of 2 noun

ˈflōt 

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