Float

(1) Floating exchange rate: an exchange rate where the value is determined by market forces. Even floating currencies are subject to intervention by the monetary authorities. When such activity is frequent the float is known as a dirty float.
(2) Cash in hand or in the course of being transferred between banks
(3) Federal Reserve Float arises from the system where cheques sent to the Federal Reserve Banks are credited sometimes in advance of the depositing bank loosing the reserve.
(4) In equity markets, the number of shares of a corporation that are available for trading by the public. Float estimates usually exclude large insider positions and corporate control or strategic holdings.