From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishfloatfloat1 /fləʊt $ floʊt/ ●●● S3 W2 verb 1 on water a) ON/ON TOP OF[intransitive] to stay or move on the surface of a liquid without sinking I wasn’t sure if the raft would float. She spent the afternoon floating on her back in the pool.float along/down/past etc A couple of broken branches floated past us. b) [transitive] to put something on the surface of a liquid so that it does not sink The logs are trimmed and then floated down the river.2 in the air [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]SLOW if something floats, it moves slowly through the air or stays up in the air I looked up at the clouds floating in the sky. Leaves floated gently down from the trees.3 music/sounds/smells etc [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]HEAR if sounds or smells float somewhere, people in another place can hear or smell them The sound of her voice came floating down from an upstairs window.4 walk gracefully [intransitive]GRACEFUL to walk in a slow light graceful way SYN glide Rachel floated around the bedroom in a lace nightgown.5 ideas [transitive]SUGGEST to suggest an idea or plan in order to see if people like it We first floated the idea back in 1992. 6 money [transitive] technicalPEC if the government of a country floats its money, the value of the money is allowed to change freely in relation to money from other countries Russia decided to float the rouble on the foreign exchange market.7 company [transitive]BFS to sell shares in a company or business to the public for the first timefloat something on something The company will be floated on the stock market next year. → flotation(1)8 cheque [transitive] American EnglishPAY FOR to write a cheque when you do not have enough money in the bank to pay it9 → whatever floats your boat → float around→ See Verb table
DSOfor fishing a small light object that floats on the surface of the water, used by people trying to catch fish to show where their line is4 DSSfor swimming a flat light object that you can rest part of your body on in water to help you learn to swim5 BBTmoney a small amount of money that someone in a shop keeps so that they have enough money to give change to people 6 business a time when shares in a company are made available for people to buy for the first time SYN flotation7 relaxation a time when you sit in a flotation tank in order to treat illness or injury, or to relax
Examples from the Corpus
float• Ice is less dense than water, which is why it floats.• And mostly I am like this, floating and remote.• She turned, her hair floating around her face.• They are back in play now at 88p, but were floated at a quid each in 1983.• It doesn't need brakes so much as mooring ropes to stop it floating away.• Ace floated back to the doorway.• If the egg floats in a glass of water, it's not fresh.• Speck was a drifter who had floated in and out of trouble for most of his life.• The pitch came, and the ball floated in as big as a basketball.• They could see something pale and white floating in the water.• The empty boat floated off down the river.• Annie was floating on her back in the water.• Tim was floating on his back in the pool.• a cup of coffee with black bits floating on the surface• Butler floated proposals for a number of films.• Children were floating small boats made of banana leaves.• For example, Wynns floated the idea of eliminating surface street parking near the museum in exchange for a parking garage.• The administration had floated the idea of increased taxes on beer, spirits and tobacco.• The following month, David floated the possibility of launching a new TV company.• The drizzle was the ash of his burned offerings floating up into the sky.float along/down/past etc• Memory was a great open channel she could float down.• The forms on the ceiling floated down and prowled around her.• A chair and me float past each other.• The trees, two white and one pink, were an extravaganza of blossom which floated down on to the chequered tablecloths.• Just a few of them floated down on to the lino.• A few flakes of snow floated past the deck and vanished in the water.• For a playground the children wade through the debris that floats along the shoreline.• It simply floats along with billions of other cells through miles of veins, arteries and capillaries.floatfloat2 ●○○ noun [countable] 1 TTCvehicle a large vehicle that is decorated to drive through the streets as part of a special event We stood and watched the Carnival floats drive past.2 drink American EnglishDFD a sweet drink that has ice cream floating in it3 DSOfor fishing a small light object that floats on the surface of the water, used by people trying to catch fish to show where their line is4 DSSfor swimming a flat light object that you can rest part of your body on in water to help you learn to swim5 BBTmoney a small amount of money that someone in a shop keeps so that they have enough money to give change to people 6 business a time when shares in a company are made available for people to buy for the first time SYN flotation7 relaxation a time when you sit in a flotation tank in order to treat illness or injury, or to relaxExamples from the Corpus
float• The floral extravaganza featured 55 floats, 30 equestrian units and 24 marching bands.• a root-beer float• The amount provided in the original cash float is deducted and placed in a separate banker's bag.• A glass fishing float, five hundred miles from the sea.• She might even make room for Louise on her float.• There were to be no marching bands, no floats, no politicians waving from convertibles, no clowns tossing candy.• They came back on a parade float of prodigal love and public money, promising entertainment, nostalgia and success.• You can see the Rose Parade floats being made.From Longman Business Dictionaryfloatfloat1 /fləʊtfloʊt/ verb1[intransitive, transitive]FINANCE to sell new shares, bonds etc on a financial marketTo finance the expansion, the airport has floated $30 billion in bonds, which should cover 75% of construction costs.2float a company on the stockmarketFINANCE to sell shares in a company on a stockmarket for the first timeThe price of the company’s shares on the day it floated on the stock market beat all expectations.3[intransitive, transitive]FINANCE if the government of a country floats its currency, or if the currency floats, its value is allowed to change in relation to other currencies after a period of time when it has been fixedHe had been responsible for sweeping economic reforms, including floating the Australian dollar and deregulating the financial system.4[intransitive]FINANCE if a price, amount etc floats, it moves up or down slowlyThe oil market let crude prices float lower.Throughout the 1970s, the stock and bond markets floated up. → see also float a cheque under cheque→ See Verb tablefloatfloat2 noun [countable usually singular]FINANCE1when shares, bonds etc are sold on a financial market, or when a company sells shares for the first timeSYNFLOTATIONThe board is still talking with its investment bankers about the timing and terms of the float, which is expected to value the company at between $3 billion and $4 billion.2when a currency is allowed to change in value in relation to othersUntil the float of sterling in 1972 there were few restrictions on investment within the sterling area.3BANKING the money made available to banks while customers’ cheques go through the banking systemMany consumers have long believed that bankers have lengthened the check-clearing process to use the float for their own benefit.4the amount of notes and coins in the TILL of a shop, restaurant etc when they open for businessCash floats should be rechecked to ensure that cashiers have enough change for the evening business.5British EnglishOFFICE a small amount of money that is kept in an office for making small paymentsSYNPETTY CASHA business credit card removes the need for a cash float.Origin float1 Old English flotian 