noun
also floa·ta·tion flōˈtāshən
( -s )
Etymology: flotation alteration of floatation; floatation from float (II) + -ation
1. : the act, process, or state of floating
2. : an act or instance of financing (as a commercial venture, an issue of stock, or a loan)
their last flotation of stock was successful
the flotation of new securities is a specialized business
3.
a. : the separation of the particles of a mass of finely pulverized ore according to their relative capacity for floating by virtue of the surface tension on a given liquid instead of according to their specific gravities
b. : any of various similar processes involving the relative capacity of materials for floating (as for separating oils from industrial wastes, pigments from impurities, or coal from slate) — see froth flotation
4. : the collection (as in sewage treatment) of substances immersed in a liquid by taking advantage of differences in specific gravities or of the buoyancy produced by the evolution of gas by chemicals or heat
5. : the ability (as of a tire, crawler tread, platform, or vehicle) to stay on the surface of soft ground or snow