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