floats 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of float
1
as in hovers
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air a canoe floating down the river particles of dust floating in the air

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2

floats

2 of 2

noun

plural of float
as in docks
a structure used by boats and ships for taking on or landing cargo and passengers the crew put the cargo on the float before heading back down the river

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of floats
Verb
This time the fly lands just above the spot and floats its way down. Ralph Tuttle, Outdoor Life, 25 June 2026 When the tank is full, the robot automatically floats to the surface and parks itself in a corner of the pool for emptying, which is a breeze thanks to a pop-out basket. K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 June 2026 When the sun goes down, stake out a spot at any Magic Kingdom-area resort beach for the Electrical Water Pageant, a procession of illuminated sea creatures that floats across the lagoon every night. Jacqueline Dole, Southern Living, 23 June 2026 The insoles, outsoles, and straps are all constructed from a flexible TPU material that water floats right off of. Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2026 People hold their phones up to improve their views of the parade floats on Maiden Lane and Broadway. Amina Kilpatrick, NBC news, 19 June 2026 As if value just floats in thin air and evil aldermen are firing bazookas in its saintly direction. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026 The plush toy was selected from thousands of submissions to serve as the mission's zero-gravity indicator -- an object that floats once a spacecraft reaches weightlessness. ABC News, 18 June 2026 Outside, a marble statue floats in a trickling fountain. Jenna Thompson june 16, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2026
Noun
Just as the second half of the Australia game was about to kick off, the Kiddies Parade started outside the baptist church and a series of floats ambled down Main Street, which was otherwise closed off. Simon Hughes, New York Times, 23 June 2026 Borrowing inspiration from the Rose Parade, the floats feature everything from silk flowers to coffee beans, crushed pine cones and cranberry seeds. Nikki Dementri, CBS News, 23 June 2026 These treats inspired by ice cream floats will be the talk of the party. Patricia S York, Southern Living, 23 June 2026 The case is waterproof, floats, and comes with a stylish crossbody strap. Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 23 June 2026 SpaceX came public with only about 5% of its roughly 13 billion shares available for trading, creating one of the smallest floats among mega-cap stocks. Yun Li, CNBC, 22 June 2026 Knicks fans nearly overwhelmed it before the floats arrived. C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 June 2026 In addition to team stars like Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Karl Anthony Towns and Josh Hart, the floats carried Mayor Zohran Mamdani and many members of the team’s celebrity cheering section, like Chris Rock, Spike Lee, Timothee Chamalet and Fat Joe. Shaheem Reid, Variety, 18 June 2026 Stiller was seen on one of the floats on Thursday. Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for floats
Verb
  • The population hovers at just over 200.
    John Lauritsen, CBS News, 18 June 2026
  • Building on a recurring motif of witches, Woods has Emily and Sylvia lift off during a thunderstorm, soaring above the city skyline in a sequence that hovers between dream and fantasy.
    Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • The lagoon, which wanders almost the entire length of the garden, adds a swath of blue to this oasis of green.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2026
  • In its most scenic moments, the train wanders along the island’s coastline and through rainforest, and sugar cane fields.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • As a bonus, guests enjoy access to Merroir’s boat docks.
    Simon Davidson, Travel + Leisure, 19 June 2026
  • An around-the-world boat race docks at the Wharf, and a new brewery opens its doors in Shaw.
    Fritz Hahn, Washington Post, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Star of the Seas still sails out of Port Canaveral, housing guests on what is tied for the title of world’s largest cruise ship.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2026
  • As the ship sails the Antarctic Peninsula, passengers go on excursions, such as taking a Zodiac or kayaking, to view wildlife and immerse themselves in nature.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • North Carolina will be under the microscope as long as Bill Belichick roams the sidelines in Chapel Hill.
    Antonio Morales, New York Times, 5 June 2026
  • Today, the herd roams the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and is managed in partnership with the local fire company, which hosts the annual pony swim—a beloved local tradition.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • In San Isidro, a movement was born Castillo and Otero grew up in San Isidro, a working class, hardscrabble neighborhood abutting the wharfs near the Port of Havana, and became friends – one a rapper, the other a visual artist.
    Rick Jervis, USA Today, 13 May 2026
  • The wharves and warehouses along Pratt Street burned fiercely.
    Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Some of them have commanded many millions at auction, like 1972’s Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures), showing a man looking into the pool as another man swims underwater to the edge.
    Devorah Lauter for ARTNews, Robb Report, 12 June 2026
  • Speaking in a new interview with Today, published Wednesday, May 27, Michigan resident Betty Morris, who turned 101 on May 13 and still drives and swims daily, revealed her top four tips for longevity.
    Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • Guests will hear brakes each time the vehicle drifts or turns.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026
  • In the excerpt, a character drifts through each scene shown with what seems like shellshock on his face, as the show’s sensory overload of action happens all around him.
    Kambole Campbell, Variety, 23 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Floats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floats. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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