Definition of 'float'
Noun
- the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment
- the number of shares outstanding and available for trading by the public
- a drink with ice cream floating in it
Synonyms: ice-cream soda ice-cream float - an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade
- a hand tool with a flat face used for smoothing and finishing the surface of plaster or cement or stucco
Synonyms: plasterer's float - something that remains on the surface of a liquid
Verb
- 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"
Synonyms: drift be adrift blow - be afloat; stay on a liquid surface; not sink
Synonyms: swim
Antonyms: sink settle go down go under - set afloat; "He floated the logs down the river"; "The boy floated his toy boat on the pond"
- circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with; "The Republicans are floating the idea of a tax reform"
- move lightly, as if suspended; "The dancer floated across the stage"
- put into the water; "float a ship"
- make the surface of level or smooth; "float the plaster"
- allow (currencies) to fluctuate; "The government floated the ruble for a few months"
- convert from a fixed point notation to a floating point notation; "float data"
