float float /ˈfloʊt/

noun

1. An air-filled sac near the spinal column in many fishes that helps maintain buoyancy  ( air bladder , float , swim bladder )
   an air-filled sac near the spinal column in many fishes that helps maintain buoyancy
   
   
2. Something that floats on the surface of water  ( float )
   something that floats on the surface of water
    I grabbed a float and headed out into the deep end of the pool to work on my treading water skills
   I grabbed a float and headed out into the deep end of the pool to work on my treading water skills
   
3. A hand tool with a flat face used for smoothing and finishing the surface of plaster, cement or stucco  ( float , plasterer's float )
   a hand tool with a flat face used for smoothing and finishing the surface of plaster, cement or stucco
   
   
4. An elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade  ( float )
   an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade
   
5. A drink with ice cream floating in it  ( float , ice-cream float , ice-cream soda )
   a drink with ice cream floating in it
   
   
6. The number of shares outstanding and available for trading by the public  ( float )
   the number of shares outstanding and available for trading by the public
   
7. The time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment  ( float )
   the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment
   

verb

1. () Be in motion due to some air or water current  ( be adrift , blow , drift , float )
   be in motion due to some air or water current
    The leaves were blowing in the wind
   The leaves were blowing in the wind
    The boat drifted on the lake
   the boat drifted on the lake
    The sailboat was adrift on the open sea
   The sailboat was adrift on the open sea
    The shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore
   the shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore
   
2. () Be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom  ( swim , float )
   be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom
   
3. () Set afloat  ( float )
   set afloat
    He floated the logs down the river
   He floated the logs down the river
    The boy floated his toy boat on the pond
   The boy floated his toy boat on the pond
   
4. Convert from a fixed point notation to a floating point notation  ( float )
   convert from a fixed point notation to a floating point notation
    Float data
   float data
   
5. Allow (currencies) to fluctuate  ( float )
   allow (currencies) to fluctuate
    The government floated the ruble for a few months
   The government floated the ruble for a few months
   
6. Make the surface of level or smooth  ( float )
   make the surface of level or smooth
    Float the plaster
   float the plaster
   
7. Put into the water  ( float )
   put into the water
    Float a ship
   float a ship
   
8. Move lightly, as if suspended  ( float )
   move lightly, as if suspended
    The dancer floated across the stage
   The dancer floated across the stage
   
9. Circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with  ( float )
   circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with
    The Republicans are floating the idea of a tax reform
   The Republicans are floating the idea of a tax reform