levitate

verb

lev·​i·​tate ˈle-və-ˌtāt How to pronounce levitate (audio)
levitated; levitating

intransitive verb

: to rise or float in or as if in the air especially in seeming defiance of gravitation

transitive verb

: to cause to levitate

Examples of levitate in a Sentence

The woman levitated above the stage. The magician claimed he could levitate a car.
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.
Knowing that a little laughter is always levitating at any awards show, the Fashion Group International has recruited the actress and producer Tiffany Haddish to host its Rising Star Awards ceremony. Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 7 Mar. 2025 Droplets bouncing off surfaces are an everyday phenomenon, like raindrops bouncing off lotus leaves or water drops sizzling in a hot pan, levitating and sliding around—aka the Leidenfrost effect. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Mar. 2025 On March 16, the lander will document the lunar sunset and study how levitating dust behaves in response to solar activity, a phenomenon first observed during Apollo 17. Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 2 Mar. 2025 The temple itself has some neat features, such as a rock that appears to be levitating, and there's also a training droid so your minifigures can practise their Jedi moves with it. Kimberley Snaith, Space.com, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for levitate

Word History

Etymology

probably by back-formation from levitation, by analogy with gravitate : gravitation

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of levitate was in 1673

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Levitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/levitate. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

levitate

verb
lev·​i·​tate ˈlev-ə-ˌtāt How to pronounce levitate (audio)
: to rise or cause to rise in the air in seeming defiance of gravity
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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