float definition

1. the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment
2. the number of shares outstanding and available for trading by the public
3. an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade
4. a hand tool with a flat face used for smoothing and finishing the surface of plaster or cement or stucco
5. something that floats on the surface of water
6. be in motion due to some air or water current
• examples: The leaves were blowing in the wind
• examples: the boat drifted on the lake
• examples: The sailboat was adrift on the open sea
• examples: the shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore
7. be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom
8. set afloat
• examples: He floated the logs down the river
• examples: The boy floated his toy boat on the pond
9. circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with
• examples: The Republicans are floating the idea of a tax reform
10. move lightly, as if suspended
• examples: The dancer floated across the stage
11. put into the water
• examples: float a ship
12. make the surface of level or smooth
• examples: float the plaster
13. allow (currencies) to fluctuate
• examples: The government floated the ruble for a few months
14. convert from a fixed point notation to a floating point notation
• examples: float data