the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment
"The company had to wait three days while their funds were floating before they could use the money from the newly deposited checks."
the number of shares outstanding and available for trading by the public
"The company's stock float increased significantly after insiders sold their holdings, making more shares available for public trading."
a drink with ice cream floating in it
"She ordered a strawberry float to enjoy on her summer afternoon."
an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade
"The town's annual festival featured a spectacular float depicting historical figures, which was slowly driven down Main Street."
a hand tool with a flat face used for smoothing and finishing the surface of plaster or cement or stucco
"The mason carefully floated the wet plaster with his trowel to create an even, smooth surface."
something that floats on the surface of water
"The colorful balloons floated gently on the surface of the pond after being dropped in."
an air-filled sac near the spinal column in many fishes that helps maintain buoyancy
"The fish adjusted its swim bladder to rise gently to the surface without swimming upward."
A buoyant device used to support something in water or another liquid.
"The sailor tied the heavy crate to a large rubber float so it would stay upright on the ocean waves."
In plain English: A float is something that stays on top of water because it does not sink.
"The cork was used to float in the water rescue game."
circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with
"The Republicans are floating the idea of a tax reform"
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.
"The wooden duck toy floats gently in the bathtub water."
In plain English: To float means to stay on top of water without sinking because you are lighter than it is.
"The boat gently floated down the river with the current."
Usage: Use "float" when describing objects staying on top of liquids due to buoyancy, such as a boat resting on water. Do not use it for things that hover in air without physical contact with a fluid surface; instead, choose words like "hover," "drift," or "glide."
The word "float" comes from Old English flotian, which originally meant to float or swim. Its roots trace back through Germanic languages to the Proto-Indo-European concept of floating, swimming, or flying.