float in WordNet English dictionary

1. an air-filled sac near the spinal column in many fishes that helps maintain buoyancy
   air bladder  swim bladder  float 
   
2. something that floats on the surface of water
   float 
   
3. a hand tool with a flat face used for smoothing and finishing the surface of plaster or cement or stucco
   float  plasterer's float 
   
4. an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade
   float 
   
5. a drink with ice cream floating in it
   ice-cream soda  ice-cream float  float 
   
6. the number of shares outstanding and available for trading by the public
   float 
   
7. the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment
   float 
   

1. 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"
   float  drift  be adrift  blow 
   
2. convert from a fixed point notation to a floating point notation
   "float data"
   float 
   
3. allow (currencies) to fluctuate
   "The government floated the ruble for a few months"
   float 
   
4. make the surface of level or smooth
   "float the plaster"
   float 
   
5. put into the water
   "float a ship"
   float 
   
6. be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom
   float  swim 
   
7. set afloat
   "He floated the logs down the river"; "The boy floated his toy boat on the pond"
   float 
   
8. move lightly, as if suspended
   "The dancer floated across the stage"
   float 
   
9. circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with
   "The Republicans are floating the idea of a tax reform"
   float