n.
Variant: also floa · ta · tion
Pronunciation: fl ō - ' t ā -sh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: 2 float
Date: 1806
1 : the act, process, or state of floating
2 : an act or instance of financing (as an issue of stock)
3 : the separation of the particles of a mass of pulverized ore according to their relative capacity for floating on a given liquid also : any of various similar processes involving the relative capacity of materials for floating
4 : the ability (as of a tire or snowshoes) to stay on the surface of soft ground or snow