Word
flotation
Phoneticsflota·tion
US/fɫoʊˈteɪʃən/
UK/fləʊtˈeɪʃən/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. the process of starting to sell a company's shares on the stock market for the first time. It can also mean the act of floating or staying on top of a liquid.
n. the process of offering a company's shares for sale on a public stock exchange to raise capital. In a physical sense, refers to the act or state of remaining buoyant on the surface of a fluid.
Examples
“The company's flotation on the stock market was a huge success.”
“After years of private ownership, the tech startup announced its flotation to attract international investors and fund expansion.”
“The success of the initial public flotation depends heavily on market sentiment and the perceived long-term stability of the firm's projected revenue streams.”
Examples
simple
“The company's flotation on the stock market was a huge success.”
contextual
“After years of private ownership, the tech startup announced its flotation to attract international investors and fund expansion.”
complex
“The success of the initial public flotation depends heavily on market sentiment and the perceived long-term stability of the firm's projected revenue streams.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the general state of buoyancy; countable when referring to the specific financial event of a company going public.
Real-World Examples
“If you know you will be hiking in high-risk water zones, you may consider an inflatable personal flotation device.” “Shein also considered a £50bn flotation in London but faced similar questions about its supply chain from campaigners, MPs and investors.” Etymology
From float + -ation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/flotation