flotation

or float·a·tion

[ floh-tey-shuh n ]
/ floʊˈteɪ ʃən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR flotation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an act or state of floating.
the launching of a commercial venture, bond issue, loan, etc.
Metallurgy. a process for separating the different minerals in a mass of powdered ore based on their tendency to sink in, or float on, a given liquid.
the science of floating bodies.

Origin of flotation

1800–10; float + -ation; compare French flottaison (see flotsam)

Words nearby flotation

floss, floss hole, flossie, flossy, flotage, flotation, flotation bags, flotation method, flotation tank, flote grass, flotel

Words related to flotation

backing, cornerstone, footing, buttress, groundwork, rod, back, rest, pole, bed, rampart, rib, timber, foothold, stanchion, lining, bedding, stake, stave, prop

Example sentences from the Web for flotation

British Dictionary definitions for flotation

flotation

floatation

/ (fləʊˈteɪʃən) /

noun

  1. the launching or financing of a commercial enterprise by bond or share issues
  2. the raising of a loan or new capital by bond or share issues
power or ability to float; buoyancy
Also called: froth flotation a process to concentrate the valuable ore in low-grade ores. The ore is ground to a powder, mixed with water containing surface-active chemicals, and vigorously aerated. The bubbles formed trap the required ore fragments and carry them to the surface froth, which is then skimmed off

Medical definitions for flotation

flotation
[ flō-tā′shən ]

n.

The process of separating different materials, especially minerals, by agitating a pulverized mixture of the materials with water, oil, and chemicals. Differential wetting of the suspended particles causes unwetted particles to be carried by air bubbles to the surface for collection.