float

A2
Pronunciation
/fləʊt/
/floʊt/
Noun
25 definition(s)
1 Definition

A buoyant device used to support something in water or another liquid.

Example Sentences
  • Attach the float and the weight to the fishing line, above the hook.
2 Definition

A mass of timber or boards fastened together, and conveyed down a stream by the current; a raft.

3 Definition

A float board.

4 Definition

A tool similar to a rasp, used in various trades.

5 Definition

A sort of trowel used for finishing concrete surfaces or smoothing plaster.

Example Sentences
  • When pouring a new driveway, you can use a two-by-four as a float.
6 Definition

An elaborately decorated trailer or vehicle, intended for display in a parade or pageant.

Example Sentences
  • That float covered in roses is very pretty.
7 Definition

A small vehicle used for local deliveries, especially in the term milk float.

8 Definition

Funds committed to be paid but not yet paid.

Example Sentences
  • Our bank does a nightly sweep of accounts, to adjust the float so we stay within our reserves limit.
9 Definition

(and other Commonwealth countries?) An offering of shares in a company (or units in a trust) to members of the public, normally followed by a listing on a stock exchange.

10 Definition

The total amount of checks/cheques or other drafts written against a bank account but not yet cleared and charged against the account.

Example Sentences
  • No sir, your current float is not taken into account, when assets are legally garnished.
11 Definition

Premiums taken in but not yet paid out.

Example Sentences
  • We make a lot of interest from our nightly float.
12 Definition

A floating-point number, especially one that has lower precision than a double.

Example Sentences
  • That routine should not have used an int; it should be a float.
13 Definition

A soft beverage with a scoop of ice-cream floating in it.

Example Sentences
  • It's true - I don't consider anything other than root-beer with vanilla ice-cream to be a "real" float.
14 Definition

A small sum of money put in a cashier's till at the start of business to enable change to be made.

15 Definition

A maneuver where a player calls on the flop or turn with a weak hand, with the intention of bluffing after a subsequent community card.

16 Definition

One of the loose ends of yarn on an unfinished work.

17 Definition

A car carrier or car transporter truck or truck-and-trailer combination

18 Definition

A lowboy trailer

19 Definition

(tempering) A device sending a copious stream of water to the heated surface of a bulky object, such as an anvil or die.

20 Definition

The act of flowing; flux; flow.

21 Definition

A quantity of earth, eighteen feet square and one foot deep.

22 Definition

A polishing block used in marble working; a runner.

23 Definition

A coal cart.

24 Definition

A breakdancing move in which the body is held parallel to the floor while balancing on one or both hands.

25 Definition

A visual style on a web page that causes the styled elements to float above or beside others.

Verb
20 definition(s)
1 Definition

Of an object or substance, to be supported by a liquid of greater density than the object so as that part of the object or substance remains above the surface.

Example Sentences
  • The boat floated on the water.
2 Definition

To cause something to be suspended in a liquid of greater density.

Example Sentences
  • to float a boat
3 Definition

To be capable of floating.

Example Sentences
  • Oil floats on vinegar.
4 Definition

To move in a particular direction with the liquid in which one is floating

Example Sentences
  • I’d love to just float downstream.
5 Definition

To drift or wander aimlessly.

Example Sentences
  • Images from my childhood floated through my mind.
6 Definition

To drift gently through the air.

Example Sentences
  • The balloon floated off into the distance.
7 Definition

To move in a fluid manner.

Example Sentences
  • The dancer floated gracefully around the stage.
8 Definition

To circulate.

Example Sentences
  • There's a rumour floating around the office that Jan is pregnant.
9 Definition

(of an idea or scheme) To be viable.

Example Sentences
  • That’s a daft idea... it’ll never float.
10 Definition

To propose (an idea) for consideration.

Example Sentences
  • I floated the idea of free ice-cream on Fridays, but no one was interested.
11 Definition

To automatically adjust a parameter as related parameters change.

12 Definition

(of currencies) To have an exchange value determined by the markets as opposed to by rule.

Example Sentences
  • The yen floats against the dollar.
13 Definition

To allow (the exchange value of a currency) to be determined by the markets.

Example Sentences
  • Increased pressure on Thailand’s currency, the baht, in 1997 led to a crisis that forced the government to float the currency.
14 Definition

To extend a short-term loan to.

Example Sentences
  • Could you float me $50 until payday?
15 Definition

To issue or sell shares in a company (or units in a trust) to members of the public, followed by listing on a stock exchange.

Example Sentences
  • 2007, Jonathan Reuvid, Floating Your Company: The Essential Guide to Going Public.
16 Definition

To spread plaster over (a surface), using the tool called a float.

17 Definition

To use a float (rasp-like tool) upon.

Example Sentences
  • It is time to float this horse's teeth.
18 Definition

To transport by float (vehicular trailer).

19 Definition

To perform a float.

20 Definition

To cause (an element within a document) to float above or beside others.