levitation

noun

lev·​i·​ta·​tion ˌle-və-ˈtā-shən 

: the act or process of levitating

especially : the rising or lifting of a person or thing by means held to be supernatural

levitational

ˌle-və-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Examples of levitation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While magicians use illusions to make objects float, physicists pursue levitation for its practical advantages. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025

Using a laser to mimic sunlight, the researchers demonstrated photophoretic levitation on their centimeter-scale structures in a low-pressure chamber in the lab. —Payal Dhar, Scientific American, 19 Aug. 2025

Instead, there was a significantly higher threshold of 550° Celsius (1,022° F) for levitation of the ice to occur. —Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025

Past stage shows by Ross have included levitation, shadow box, fire spiker and double saw magic acts as well as interactive audience participation segments. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 7 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin levitātiōn-, levitātiō, from Latin levis "light" + New Latin -itātiōn-, -itātiō in gravitātiō gravitation — more at light entry 4

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing levitation

• magnetic levitation

Rhymes for levitation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

levitation

noun

lev·​i·​ta·​tion ˌlev-ə-ˈtā-shən 

: the act or process of levitating

especially : the rising or lifting of a person or thing as if by magic