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⇱ FLOAT Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Definition
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1
: an act or instance of floating
2
: something that floats in or on the surface of a fluid: such as
a
: a device (such 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
3
: a tool or apparatus for smoothing a surface (as of wet concrete)
4
: a government grant of a fixed amount of land not yet located by survey out of a larger specific tract
5
: a vehicle with a platform used to carry an exhibit in a parade
also : the vehicle and exhibit together
6
a
: an amount of money represented by checks outstanding and in process of collection
b
: the time between a transaction (such 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
7
: a soft drink with ice cream floating in it

float

2 of 2

verb

floated; floating; floats

intransitive verb

1
: to rest on the surface of or be suspended in a fluid
2
a
: to drift or move on or through or as if on or through a fluid
Yellow leaves floated down.
She floated across the stage.
b
: wander
c
: to live without a serious purpose or goal
floats through life
3
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

1
a
: to cause to float in or on the surface of a fluid
floating logs down the river
b
: to cause to float as if in a fluid
2
: flood
float a cranberry bog
3
: to smooth (something, such as plaster or cement) with a float
4
a
: to put forth for acceptance
float a proposal
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

Synonyms of float

Examples of float in a Sentence

Noun We are building a float for the homecoming parade. the crew put the cargo on the float before heading back down the river Verb She was floating on her back. ice floating in the river Will this material sink or float? dust floating through the air The incoming tide will eventually float the ship off the reef. They floated the logs down the river. She floated gracefully across the stage. His voice floated to the back of the room.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
This followed a controversy over plans for a float in the South Side Irish Parade showing support for five CPD officers accused of abusive conduct β€” including Cmdr. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026 Ice floats, and liquid water reaches its highest density at about 39 degrees Fahrenheit, causing colder, denser water to sink. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
Mediators have floated the idea that perhaps access to the Strait of Hormuz and the elimination of Iran's uranium stockpile could be fully resolved after a ceasefire is reached. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026 Using a conventional electric trimmer would cause tiny hairs to float around in microgravity, which would be a mess. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Evan Bush, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for float

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English flote boat, float, from Old English flota ship; akin to Old High German flōz raft, stream, Old English flΔ“otan to float β€” more at fleet

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of float was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing float

Rhymes for float

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

β€œFloat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/float. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
: an act or instance of floating
2
: something that floats: as
a
: a device (as a cork) that holds 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 controls the flow or level of the liquid it floats on (as in a tank)
d
: a watertight structure that holds up an airplane on water
3
: a vehicle with a platform used to carry an exhibit in a parade
also : the vehicle and exhibit together
4
: a drink consisting of ice cream floating in a beverage

float

2 of 2 verb
1
: to rest on the surface of a fluid
2
: to drift on or through or as if on or through a fluid
dust floating through the air
3
: to cause to float
float logs down a river
floater noun

Legal Definition

float

1 of 2 noun
1
: an amount of money represented by checks outstanding and in process of collection
2
: 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

float

2 of 2 intransitive verb
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

1
: to place (an issue of securities) on the market
2
: to obtain money for the establishment or development of (an enterprise) by issuing and selling securities
3
: negotiate sense 1
float a loan

More from Merriam-Webster on float

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