refloat

verb

re·​float (ˌ)rē-ˈflōt How to pronounce refloat (audio)
refloated; refloating

transitive verb

: to float (something) again
Although there are no plans to refloat the wreck, divers expect to carefully document and remove whatever they can of Franklin's flagship.Bob Weber
New Zealand conservation authorities said 240 pilot whales that were stranded overnight at a remote bay … refloated themselves on Sunday and were swimming offshore.Reuters
Banks were refloated and the US trade deficit returned to its pre-2008 level.Yanis Varoufakis

Examples of refloat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It was refloated and moved to the Port of Baltimore by five tugboats last month. Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2024 The massive cargo ship that brought down Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge was finally refloated and escorted back to port Monday. Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 20 May 2024 Trending Nationally What to watch: ‘Bridgerton’ is back, saucier than ever Rep. Lauren Boebert attends Donald Trump’s hush money trial, taking front-row seat in show of support What will happen before, after the Dali is refloated? Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2024 Sharp compares the refloating experience to whack-a-mole, rushing from dolphin to dolphin trying to keep them upright as the tide rushes back in. Jayme Moye, Outside Online, 19 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for refloat 

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of refloat was in 1812

Dictionary Entries Near refloat

Cite this Entry

“Refloat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refloat. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!