float

Everyday

1. To stay on top of water or another liquid without sinking. tree →
2. To move slowly through air or water: a balloon floats away. tree →
3. A noun: something that floats, like a float used to learn swimming or on a fishing line. tree →
4. A noun: a decorated truck in a parade. tree →
5. A noun: a small amount of money in a cash box for change. tree →

In the lessons

In science: an object floats if it is less dense than the water (lighter for its size); wood, ice and air-filled balls float; stones and coins sink; salty water helps things float better. Sink-or-float experiments. In swimming safety: if you fall into water, float on your back to rest and breathe; use floats when learning. Phrases: float or sink, float on your back, floating island, float away, float in a parade.

Examples

• Wood floats but stones sink. tree →
• Ice floats on water. tree →
• Lie on your back and float. tree →
• I use a float in my swimming lesson. tree →
• The balloon floated up into the sky. tree →
• We tested which objects float or sink. tree →
• Leaves floated down the stream. tree →
• The school float in the parade was covered in flowers. tree →
• The canoe floated to the shore. tree →

Note

Regular verb: floated. Opposite: sink. Myth: heavy things don't always sink — a huge ship floats because its shape holds lots of air and is light for its size. In science lessons «floats» means stays at the top.

In Jewish tradition

In science: an object floats if it is less dense than the water (lighter for its size); wood, ice and air-filled balls float; stones and coins sink; salty water helps things float better. Sink-or-float experiments. In swimming safety: if you fall into water, float on your back to rest and breathe; use floats when learning. Phrases: float or sink, float on your back, floating island, float away, float in a parade.

Examples

• and we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need; and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa; and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem.' (Writings 2CH.2.15, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: floated. Opposite: sink. Myth: heavy things don't always sink — a huge ship floats because its shape holds lots of air and is light for its size. In science lessons «floats» means stays at the top.