Definition of Float

Noun

• an air-filled sac near the spinal column in many fishes that helps maintain buoyancy
  - air bladder - swim bladder
• 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
  - plasterer's float
• 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
  - ice cream soda - ice cream float
• 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
  swim
• 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"
  drift - be adrift blow

• Scrabble® score of the float (8)
• Word Chums® score of the float (9)
• Words With Friends® score of the float (9)