flotation
noun
flo·ta·tion flō-ˈtā-shən 
variants or less commonly floatation
1
: the act, process, or state of floating
2
: an act or instance of financing (such as an issue of stock)
3
: the separation of the particles of a mass of pulverized ore according to their relative capacity for floating on a given liquid
also : any of various similar processes involving the relative capacity of materials for floating
4
: the ability (as of a tire or snowshoes) to stay on the surface of soft ground or snow
Example Sentences
fills the tanks with air for flotation the flotation of a currency
Recent Examples on the Web The department also is equipped with throw ropes and flotation devices, Boydston said. 
Mike Jones, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2022 In the video the water around the swimmer turns red from blood, as bystanders on the pier throw a flotation device toward her. Arkansas Online, 4 July 2022 Seek a lifeguard, call 911 or throw a flotation device their way. Forrest Brown, CNN, 3 July 2022 Non-swimmers and inexperienced swimmers should always wear a life jacket or personal flotation device. Angela Cordoba Perez, The Arizona Republic, 7 Aug. 2022 In both instances, individuals jumped off their rental pontoon boats and into the water without a personal flotation device and did not resurface, according to town of Oconomowoc Police Sgt. Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 26 July 2022 The man was not believed to be wearing a personal flotation device at the time of his disappearance. Sofia Saric, BostonGlobe.com, 2 July 2022 Many migrants from Cuba and Haiti have attempted to cross the Straits of Florida in dilapidated vessels and even on flotation devices, prompting lifesaving rescues from the Coast Guard. Dennis Romero, NBC News, 7 Aug. 2022 The commission advises people to take swimming lessons to reduce the risk of drowning and use personal flotation devices. Gloria Rebecca Gomez, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2022 See More
Mike Jones, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2022 In the video the water around the swimmer turns red from blood, as bystanders on the pier throw a flotation device toward her. Arkansas Online, 4 July 2022 Seek a lifeguard, call 911 or throw a flotation device their way. Forrest Brown, CNN, 3 July 2022 Non-swimmers and inexperienced swimmers should always wear a life jacket or personal flotation device. Angela Cordoba Perez, The Arizona Republic, 7 Aug. 2022 In both instances, individuals jumped off their rental pontoon boats and into the water without a personal flotation device and did not resurface, according to town of Oconomowoc Police Sgt. Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 26 July 2022 The man was not believed to be wearing a personal flotation device at the time of his disappearance. Sofia Saric, BostonGlobe.com, 2 July 2022 Many migrants from Cuba and Haiti have attempted to cross the Straits of Florida in dilapidated vessels and even on flotation devices, prompting lifesaving rescues from the Coast Guard. Dennis Romero, NBC News, 7 Aug. 2022 The commission advises people to take swimming lessons to reduce the risk of drowning and use personal flotation devices. Gloria Rebecca Gomez, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
float entry 2 + -ation
First Known Use
1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1