float

Noun

• an air-filled sac near the spinal column in many fishes that helps maintain buoyancy

• something that floats on the surface of water

• a hand tool with a flat face used for smoothing and finishing the surface of plaster or cement or stucco

• an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade

• a drink with ice cream floating in it

• the number of shares outstanding and available for trading by the public

• 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
  • float data
    

• allow (currencies) to fluctuate
  • The government floated the ruble for a few months
    

• make the surface of level or smooth
  • float the plaster
    

• put into the water
  • float a ship
    

• move lightly, as if suspended
  • The dancer floated across the stage
    

• circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with
  • The Republicans are floating the idea of a tax reform
    

• set afloat
  • He floated the logs down the river
    
  • The boy floated his toy boat on the pond
    

• be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom

• be in motion due to some air or water current
  • 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
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  air bladder , swim bladder , plasterer's float , ice-cream soda , ice-cream float , swim , drift , be adrift , blow
• Antonyms: 
  sink , settle , go down , go under