flotation

The state of staying on the surface of water or another liquid.

• The foam provides flotation.
• Everyone on the boat wore a flotation device.
• The jacket offers enough flotation to keep your head above water.

Similar words: buoyancy

Common phrases: flotation device, flotation aid, provide flotation

The sale of a company’s shares to the public, usually for the first time.

• The company announced its flotation.
• Investors bought shares during the stock market flotation.
• They delayed the flotation until market conditions improved.

Similar words: initial public offering, share offering

Common phrases: stock market flotation, company flotation, planned flotation

The ability to stay on top of soft ground or snow without sinking deeply.

• Wide tires improve flotation on soft sand.
• These snowshoes provide good flotation in deep snow.
• The vehicle’s flotation helps it cross muddy ground.

Common phrases: snowshoe flotation, tire flotation, improve flotation

Separating minerals in water by making selected particles stick to air bubbles and rise to the surface.

• The mine uses flotation to separate minerals.
• Air bubbles carry selected particles upward during flotation.
• The flotation tank produced a layer of mineral-rich foam.

Common phrases: froth flotation, flotation tank, flotation process