levitate

verb

lev·​i·​tate ˈle-və-ˌtāt 

levitated; levitating

intransitive verb

: to rise or float in or as if in the air especially in seeming defiance of gravitation

transitive verb

: to cause to levitate

Examples of levitate in a Sentence

The woman levitated above the stage.

The magician claimed he could levitate a car.

Recent Examples on the Web

In victory, Miguel actually appeared to levitate off the ground. —Helen Schulman, The Atlantic, 26 June 2025

Its kinetic dimension will also harken back to the levitating element of Rem Koolhaas & Cecil Balmond with Arup’s Serpentine Pavilion 2006. —Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025

Their performances were known for their pyrotechnics, fire breathing, blood spitting, levitating drum kits, and more. —Michileen Martin, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025

The result is a mesmerizing arc of levitating string that appears to defy gravity. —Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably by back-formation from levitation, by analogy with gravitate : gravitation

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for levitate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

levitate

verb

lev·​i·​tate ˈlev-ə-ˌtāt 

: to rise or cause to rise in the air in seeming defiance of gravity