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 Inside my room, on a bed that seemed to levitate above a concrete floor, lay a little dish containing two dark-chocolate skulls flavored with mandarin and marigold from FlorCacao, a Oaxacan artisanal chocolatier. Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2024 More often than not, their stage performances evoke the same reaction, levitating audiences to their feet. Nancy Kruh, Peoplemag, 26 Jan. 2024 The tunnels were originally planned to carry high-speed magnetically levitating trains in near-vacuum, a concept called the Hyperloop. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 2 Aug. 2023 If your gift recipient prefers other Marvel characters, there are plenty of Funko Pops to choose from, like a levitating Vision from Captain America: Civil War and an Amazon-exclusive figure of Sam Wilson aka Falcon ready for battle in his suit, holding his shield. Mia Huelsbeck, Peoplemag, 17 Dec. 2023 The special effects were ahead of their time: green projectile vomiting, a girl’s head rotating 180 and 360 degrees, and bodies and beds levitating. Maham Javaid, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2023 To his followers, Li is a God-like figure who can levitate, walk through walls and see into the future. Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 13 Oct. 2023 There are no female characters with spoken lines, and the portrayal of a wise yogi levitating in the Indian jungle (and mention of circus acts like snake charmers and sword swallowers) strays into stereotype territory. Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2023 The diorama-like layout, part altar, part haunted house, contains mounds of soil sprouting candles, a filthy claw-foot bathtub, a forlorn-looking toilet and chandeliers resembling levitating candelabras. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'levitate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

levity

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of levitate was in 1673

Dictionary Entries Near levitate

Cite this Entry

“Levitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/levitate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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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