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

Isaac Okoro attempted a newfound form of levitation to keep the ball in bounds, tapping the ball to himself, then to Tre Jones. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026

But that levitation was quickly followed by a steep decline. —Noah Galuten, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026

Other institutions have focused on high-temperature superconducting systems that offer stable levitation but still need separate propulsion. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025

Hypersonic Levitation in Cell Isolation A new method of isolating and suspending cells, called hypersonic levitation and spinning (HLS), relies on acoustic resonators and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology to yield biology breakthroughs. —Perri Thaler, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 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