n.
Pronunciation: ' fl ō t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English flote boat, float, from Old English flota ship; akin to Old High German fl ō z raft, stream, Old English fl ē otan to float ― more at FLEET
Date: before 12th century
1 : an act or instance of floating
2 : something that floats in or on the surface of a fluid: as a : a device (as a cork) buoying up the baited end of a fishing line b : a floating platform anchored near a shoreline for use by swimmers or boats c : a hollow ball that floats at the end of a lever in a cistern, tank, or boiler and regulates the liquid level d : a sac containing air or gas and buoying up the body of a plant or animal e : a watertight structure giving an airplane buoyancy on water
3 : a tool or apparatus for smoothing a surface (as of wet concrete)
4 : a government grant of a fixed amount of land not yet located by survey out of a larger specific tract
5 : a vehicle with a platform used to carry an exhibit in a parade also : the vehicle and exhibit together
6 a : an amount of money represented by checks outstanding and in process of collection b : the time between a transaction (as the writing of a check or a purchase on credit) and the actual withdrawal of funds to cover it c : the volume of a company's shares available for active trading in the auction market
7 : a soft drink with ice cream floating in it