levitate

American  

[lev-i-teyt] / ˈlɛv ɪˌteɪt /

verb (used without object)

levitated, levitating

1. to rise or float in the air, especially as a result of a supernatural power that overcomes gravity.

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verb (used with object)

levitated, levitating

1. to cause to rise or float in the air.

levitate British  

/ ˈlɛvɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. to rise or cause to rise and float in the air, without visible agency, attributed, esp formerly, to supernatural causes

2. (tr) med to support (a patient) on a cushion of air in the treatment of severe burns

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Other Word Forms

• levitation noun
• levitator noun

Etymology

Origin of levitate

1665–75; levit(y) + -ate ¹, modeled on gravitate

Example Sentences

Tano almost loses his balance, and he levitates in the air to steady himself.

From Literature

During tests, eggs released one after another with minimal effort; with a bit of oil, they practically levitated.

From The Wall Street Journal

Interest in AI has levitated shares of Nvidia, Broadcom, and their ilk, but also stoked fresh fears of an AI bubble.

From Barron's

Inside one darkened room in the show, a life-size, glass “portrait” of the astronaut Lawrence appears to be levitating as if free from gravitational forces.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, he hit the game-winning home run, nearly levitated around first base, and became an October hero yet again.

From Los Angeles Times