flotation

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Etymology tree
English float
Proto-Indo-European *-tós
Proto-Indo-European *-is
Proto-Indo-European *-tis
Proto-Indo-European *-Hō
Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō
Proto-Italic *-tiō
Latin -tiō
Latin -ātiōlbor.
Old French -ationbor.
Middle English -acioun
English -ation
English flotation

    From float + -ation.

    Pronunciation

    • (General American) IPA(key): /floʊˈteɪʃən/
    • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /fləʊˈteɪʃən/
    • Audio (Southern England):(file)
    • Rhymes: -eɪʃən
    • Hyphenation: flo‧ta‧tion

    Noun

    flotation (countable and uncountable, plural flotations)

    1. A state of floating, or being afloat.
    2. The ability (as of a tire or snowshoes) to stay on the surface of soft ground or snow.
    3. (mining, chemical engineering) A process of separating minerals by agitating a mixture with water and detergents etc; selected substances being carried to the surface in air bubbles.
    4. (UK, finance) The launching onto the market of a tranche of stocks or shares, usually a new issue.
      Synonym: initial public offering
      • 2026 June 13, Robert Armstrong, “AI is revolutionising the stock market”, in FT Weekend, London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 5:
        This week's SpaceX flotation is just the latest sign: we are facing regime change not just in technology, but in finance.

    Derived terms

    Translations

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