1. (

• floating ,
• natation

) the act of someone who floats on the water ;

1. (

• float ,
• drift ,
• be_adrift ,
• blow

) 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 ,
• swim ,

) be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom ;

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" ;

1. (

• floating

) borne up by or suspended in a liquid; "the ship is still floating"; "floating logs"; "floating seaweed" ;

2. (

• aimless ,
• drifting ,
• floating ,
• vagabond ,
• vagrant

) continually changing especially as from one abode or occupation to another; "a drifting double-dealer"; "the floating population"; "vagrant hippies of the sixties" ;

3. (

• floating

) inclined to move or be moved about; "a floating crap game" ;

4. (

• floating

) (of a part of the body) not firmly connected; movable or out of normal position; "floating ribs are not connected with the sternum"; "a floating kidney" ;

5. (

• floating

) not definitely committed to a party or policy; "floating voters" ;