¹float

noun \ˈflōt\

Definition of FLOAT

: an act or instance of floating

: something that floats in or on the surface of a fluid: as

a : a device (as a cork) buoying up the baited end of a fishing line

b : a floating platform anchored near a shoreline for use by swimmers or boats

c : a hollow ball that floats at the end of a lever in a cistern, tank, or boiler and regulates the liquid level

d : a sac containing air or gas and buoying up the body of a plant or animal

e : a watertight structure giving an airplane buoyancy on water

: a tool or apparatus for smoothing a surface (as of wet concrete)

: a government grant of a fixed amount of land not yet located by survey out of a larger specific tract

: a vehicle with a platform used to carry an exhibit in a parade; also : the vehicle and exhibit together

a : an amount of money represented by checks outstanding and in process of collection

b : the time between a transaction (as the writing of a check or a purchase on credit) and the actual withdrawal of funds to cover it

c : the volume of a company's shares available for active trading in the auction market

: a soft drink with ice cream floating in it

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Origin of FLOAT

Middle English flote boat, float, from Old English flota ship; akin to Old High German flōz raft, stream, Old English flēotan to float — more at fleet

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to FLOAT

Synonyms: dock, jetty, landing, levee, pier, quai, quay, wharf

Rhymes with FLOAT

bloat, boat, coat, cote, dote, gloat, goat, groat, haute, moat, mote, note, oat, quote, rote, shoat, stoat, throat, tote, vote

²float

verb

: to rest on top of a liquid

: to be carried along by moving water or air

: to cause (something) to rest on top of a liquid : to cause (something) to float

Full Definition of FLOAT

intransitive verb

: to rest on the surface of or be suspended in a fluid

a : to drift on or through or as if on or through a fluid <yellow leaves floated down>

b : wander

of a currency : to find a level in the international exchange market in response to the law of supply and demand and without any restrictive effect of artificial support or control

transitive verb

a : to cause to float in or on the surface of a fluid

b : to cause to float as if in a fluid

: flood <float a cranberry bog>

: to smooth (as plaster or cement) with a float

a : to put forth (as a proposal) for acceptance

b : to place (an issue of securities) on the market

c : to obtain money for the establishment or development of (an enterprise) by issuing and selling securities

d : negotiate <float a loan>

See float defined for English-language learners