flotation

• floatation (nonstandard)

From float + -ation.

• (General American) IPA^(key): /floʊˈteɪʃən/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /fləʊˈteɪʃən/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪʃən
• Hyphenation: flo‧ta‧tion

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. (British, finance) The launching onto the market of a tranche of stocks or shares, usually a new issue.