levitate

[ lev-i-teyt ]

verb (used without object)

, lev·i·tat·ed, lev·i·tat·ing.

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

verb (used with object)

, lev·i·tat·ed, lev·i·tat·ing.

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

levitate

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˌleviˈtation, noun
• ˈleviˌtator, noun

Other Words From

• levi·tator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of levitate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of levitate¹

C17: from Latin levis light + -tate, as in gravitate

Example Sentences

These two qualities open up a whole host of possibilities, including lossless power lines and electronic circuits, ultra-sensitive sensors, and incredibly powerful magnets that could be used to levitate trains or make super-efficient turbines.

From Singularity Hub 

They could revolutionize the electric grid and enable levitating trains, among many other potential applications.

From MIT Technology Review

In a container, liquid can be levitated over a layer of gas by shaking the container up and down.

From Science News For Students

Objects can float along the bottom of this levitated liquid.

From Science News For Students

Going bottom-up is no problem for a boat on the underside of a levitating liquid.

From Science News For Students

“I can levitate,” he says, and he tries to get up from the couch, but he cannot.

From The Daily Beast

His body appears to levitate—his left foot is off the ground.

From The Daily Beast

One family “watched as the heavy wooden bedroom dresser eerily began to levitate a few inches off the floor.”

From The Daily Beast

Matilda wins through her intelligence and a blossoming superpower to levitate objects with her mind.

From The Daily Beast

In the 1990s, this person was huge in pop culture, invested with mythical and mystical powers, and able to make things levitate.

From The Daily Beast

There were supposed to be men who could levitate—fly through the air at will.

From Project Gutenberg

They circled the Pentagon with hundreds of protestors and said a magic spell that was supposed to levitate it.

From Project Gutenberg

My body seemed to be of ethereal substance, ready to levitate.

From Project Gutenberg

My rat cannot levitate cheese-crumbs weighing more than 1.7 grams.

From Project Gutenberg

It was not necessary, he found, to walk into a large bank and simply seemingly levitate the money out the front door.

From Project Gutenberg