levitate

verb

lev·​i·​tate ˈle-və-ˌtāt How to pronounce levitate (audio)
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
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.
There’s something playful, almost primitive, about the urge to bound yourself forward through space, your body briefly levitating with each stride. The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025 When a droplet was squashed by moving the acoustic hardware closer together, smaller droplets started to split off its surface and levitate around it. Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2025 According to some accounts, Francis was able to levitate and appear in two locations at once. Emily Harnett, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025 Cut to Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor watching on and Milly Alcock’s Supergirl levitating into view. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for levitate

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of levitate was in 1673

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Levitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/levitate. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

levitate

verb
lev·​i·​tate ˈlev-ə-ˌtāt How to pronounce levitate (audio)
: to rise or cause to rise in the air in seeming defiance of gravity
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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