English dictionary
float
nounPronunciation
fləʊt
Audio pronunciation
Parts of speech
Definitions
noun
- an air-filled sac near the spinal column in many fishes that helps maintain buoyancy
noun
- something that floats on the surface of water
noun
- a hand tool with a flat face used for smoothing and finishing the surface of plaster or cement or stucco
noun
- an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade
noun
- a drink with ice cream floating in it
noun
- the number of shares outstanding and available for trading by the public
noun
- the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment
verb
- convert from a fixed point notation to a floating point notation
verb
- allow (currencies) to fluctuate
verb
- make the surface of level or smooth
verb
- put into the water
verb
- move lightly, as if suspended
verb
- set afloat
verb
- be in motion due to some air or water current
verb
- be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom
verb
- circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with
Example sentences
float data
The government floated the ruble for a few months
float the plaster
float a ship
The dancer floated across the stage
He floated the logs down the river
The boy floated his toy boat on the pond
The leaves were blowing in the wind
the boat drifted on the lake
The sailboat was adrift on the open sea
the shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore
The Republicans are floating the idea of a tax reform