flotation

flo·ta·tion
F4L1O1T1A1T1I1O1N1
US/floʊˈteɪʃən/UK/fləʊˈteɪʃən/

noun

A state of floating, or being afloat.

Similar
initial public offeringfloatation
Less commonScrabble 12
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Meanings

nounflotation (countable and uncountable, plural flotations)

plural flotations · alternative floatation

  1. countableuncountableA state of floating, or being afloat.
  2. countableuncountableThe ability (as of a tire or snowshoes) to stay on the surface of soft ground or snow.
  3. countableuncountablechemical engineeringbusinessA process of separating minerals by agitating a mixture with water and detergents etc; selected substances being carried to the surface in air bubbles.
  4. UKcountableuncountablebusinessThe launching onto the market of a tranche of stocks or shares, usually a new issue.

    This week's SpaceX flotation is just the latest sign: we are facing regime change not just in technology, but in finance.

    2026 June 13, Robert Armstrong, “AI is revolutionising the stock market”, in FT Weekend, London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 5

    Synonyms: initial public offering

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe launching onto the market of a tranche of stocks or shares, usually a new issue.

Similar
initial public offering

More synonyms by meaning

nounthe phenomenon of floating (remaining on the surface of a liquid without sinking)

Similar
floatation
Broader
physical phenomenon

nounfinancing a commercial enterprise by bond or stock shares

Similar
floatation
Broader
finance
Also see
initial public offering

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

From float + -ation.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian флотация
  • флотация (flotacija)process of separating minerals
Catalan flotació, flotació
  • flotacióa state of floating
  • flotacióprocess of separating minerals
Finnish kellunta, flotaatio
  • kelluntaa state of floating
  • flotaatioprocess of separating minerals
  • vaahdotusprocess of separating minerals
French flottaison, flottation
  • flottaisona state of floating
  • flottationprocess of separating minerals
German Schwimmen, Flotation
  • Schwimmena state of floating
  • Flotationprocess of separating minerals
  • Börsenganglaunching into the market
Indonesian flotasi, pengapungan
  • flotasiprocess of separating minerals
  • pengapunganprocess of separating minerals
Italian flottazione
  • flottazioneprocess of separating minerals
Polish flotacja
  • flotacjaprocess of separating minerals
Portuguese flutuação, flotação
  • flutuaçãoa state of floating
  • flotaçãoprocess of separating minerals
Romanian flotație
  • flotațieprocess of separating minerals
Russian флота́ция
  • флота́ция (flotácija)process of separating minerals
Spanish flotación, flotadura
  • flotacióna state of floating
  • flotaduraa state of floating
  • flotamientoa state of floating
  • flotea state of floating
  • flotaciónprocess of separating minerals
Turkish flotasyon, yüzdürme
  • flotasyonprocess of separating minerals
  • yüzdürmeprocess of separating minerals

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with flotation

informationeducationlocationapplicationassociationadministrationorganizationcorporationregistrationAsianfoundationcommunicationpopulationnavigationstationaccommodationoperationpublicationvacationtransportationevaluationimplementationinstallationnation
All rhymes →
Cite this entry
APA

flotation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/flotation

MLA

“flotation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/flotation. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “flotation,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/flotation.

Source: flotation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.