float 1 of 2

Definition of floatnext
1
as in to hover
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air a canoe floating down the river particles of dust floating in the air

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2
as in dock
a structure used by boats and ships for taking on or landing cargo and passengers the crew put the cargo on the float before heading back down the river

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of float
Verb
Official production fell off to almost nothing after the war, which isn't surprising, since there might have been as many as a million floating about with many never issued. David Szondy august 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026 The Port of Long Beach is now working with local startup Bluecore Energy to build SMRs on floating barges—though the project remains at least a few years from reality. Jordan Blum, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
Santosh Kumar, 76, waved at the crowd from a float decked out with flags and white, orange and green streamers. Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 Haunted Mansion props on the parade floats will include the conservatory casket, cryptic gravestones, gargoyle candleholders, watchful busts, haunted armor and stretching room portraits. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for float
Recent Examples of Synonyms for float
Verb
  • The overwater bungalows are pretty special, hovering over lapping waves where guests can stay in total peace and solitude.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Parton didn’t stop with Dollywood By the early 1990s, Parton created The Dollywood Foundation with the goal of decreasing the high school drop out rate in Sevier County, which was hovering around 30%.
    Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • And, conversely, which (if any) caused folks to wander off hunting for a Pronto Pup instead.
    Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 31 Aug. 2026
  • And naturally your eyes wander where there is the most roster bloat — either at the tight end position (five players) or the offensive line (10).
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • San Juan is a major tourist spot for the island, with its nearby airport and cruise docks, but travelers might not feel the impact of the crisis.
    Josh Rivera, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In the book and film, Julián works with his father, Mateo (Andrés Velencoso), owning historic local docks in Mallorca, the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands.
    Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images Nvidia had already reported results that sailed past estimates by the time CFO Colette Kress came into the earnings call with a stunning forecast for next year.
    Kif Leswing, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Milton, though, was flushed from the pocket, and a late throw to Brown sailed out of bounds.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In a world that’s been ravaged by a virus, with many living on the skids, survivors face roaming scavengers called Reapers.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Her book’s beauty reminds me of the pleasures of the freely roaming mind.
    The Week US, TheWeek, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • But in 1820, Shippingport had about 600 residents, three wharves for steamboats, taverns and a flour mill.
    Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The redevelopment would change that by extending and upgrading existing wharves and dredging areas around the docks.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Sixteen beaches are not recommended for swimming by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
    Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Children swim as ships are seen anchored in the Strait of Hormuz on August 10, 2026 off the coast of Bandar Abbas, Iran.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Closer to home, Roman will monitor small variations in light from stars near the center of the Milky Way galaxy in order to infer the presence of rogue planets drifting between the stars.
    Don Figer, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The other was drifting toward akolasia without noticing the drift.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Float.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/float. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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