float 1 of 2

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

float

2 of 2

noun

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
In 1986, Marty’s name was floated as candidate to be the presiding bishop of a new national Lutheran church group that would be formed in 1988 via a merger of three separate Lutheran groups. Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025 Speaker of the House Mike Johnson says that President Donald Trump and Republicans will not cut Social Security, Medicaid or Medicare despite potential cuts to the programs being floated amid a budget battle in Congress. David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
The town symbol, of sorts, is a watermelon, and an annual Watermelon Carnival each August celebrates the sweet, local crop—complete with a parade, floats, and fireworks. Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2025 In a video posted to Walt Disney World's Instagram, Jalen Hurts, the Eagle's quarterback, can be seen on a parade float with Mickey and Minnie Mouse driving down Main Street USA. Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for float
Recent Examples of Synonyms for float
Verb
  • Preferring to take her chances solo, in the outside world, rather than go with Helena Eagan (Britt Lower) to meet with the board, Harmony’s whereabouts — and loyalties — have been a major question mark hovering over Season 2’s steadily escalating events.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The price of bitcoin was last hovering flat at $88,949.16, according to Coin Metrics.
    Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • About 1,800 pandas live in the wild, roaming mountain ranges in the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu, WWF says.
    Chris Lau, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Stray cats are all over the nation, roaming people's backyards and sometimes redistributing themselves to a new home.
    Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The pod of Bigg's killer whales visited Elliott Bay and were seemingly on a hunt underwater just off Seattle's maritime industrial docks.
    CBS News, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Classic largemouth water in a river would be a murky, slow-moving bend with thick cover (think fallen trees, heavy vegetation, and boat docks).
    Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Earlier this year, the ninth installment of the Outlaw Country Cruise sailed with headliners Old Crow Medicine Show.
    Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Drake had sailed his ship from England around the bottom of the Americas and up the west coast.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • For nonmembers, who can enter at 9 a.m., the event represents a great time to wander the gardens, buy plants and seek inspiration from gardening experts.
    Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Let your mind wander over the prompts without judging what comes up.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Or, the quaint cobblestone streets that lead to the historic wharves.
    Eliseé Browchuk, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Destructive waves keep thrashing Santa Cruz, causing millions of dollars in damage in recent years A large section of the city’s historic wharf collapsed this week, sending three people into the sea.
    Hunter Clauss, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Court of Arbitration for Sport bans Chinese triple Olympic gold medallist Sun Yang from swimming for 8 years for breaking anti-doping rules.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Families can explore ancient ruins such as Tulum and Coba, swim in natural cenotes, or take part in eco-adventures at Xcaret and Xel-Há parks.
    Judy Koutsky, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The outage occurred during a violent storm on the surface, which caused the ship to rapidly drift in the swells and drag the bell with it.
    Megan McCluskey, TIME, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Float.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/float. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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