float

the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment

the number of shares outstanding and available for trading by the public

a drink with ice cream floating in it

an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade

a hand tool with a flat face used for smoothing and finishing the surface of plaster or cement or stucco

something that floats on the surface of water

an air-filled sac near the spinal column in many fishes that helps maintain buoyancy

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"

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

set afloat; "He floated the logs down the river"; "The boy floated his toy boat on the pond"

circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with; "The Republicans are floating the idea of a tax reform"

move lightly, as if suspended; "The dancer floated across the stage"

put into the water; "float a ship"

make the surface of level or smooth; "float the plaster"

allow (currencies) to fluctuate; "The government floated the ruble for a few months"

convert from a fixed point notation to a floating point notation; "float data"