26984 words

floor

26 definitions • 59 examples
1
the flat surface of a room on which you walk:

Examples:

The floor was partly covered with a dirty old rug.
The bathroom floor needs cleaning.
on the floor The children sat playing on the floor.
floor space There's barely enough floor space to fit a bed in this room.
2
a level of a building:

Examples:

This building has five floors.
Take the elevator to the 51st floor.
on the third floor We live on the third floor.
He took the stairs two at a time to the second floor.
a ground floor apartment
3
a public space for activities such as dancing or having formal discussions:

Examples:

a dance floor
on the floor of The new proposal will be discussed on the floor of the House of Lords tomorrow.
4

Examples:

After her routine was not given a good score, the veteran gymnast walked angrily off the floor.
The court is too small for him — no matter where you are on the floor, he's guarding you.
5
from the audience in a public space such as a hall or parliament:

Examples:

The chairman said that he would now take questions from the floor.
What I found so fantastic about this meeting of the Youth Parliament were the contributions from the floor.
Members attending will elect one new board member, with nominations from the floor.
I would like to open the meeting up to discussion from the floor.
6
(of a basket in basketball) scored or attempted during normal play, rather than from a free throw given because the other team has broken a rule:

Examples:

The team hit 20 of 30 shots from the floor.
The Yellow Jackets shot only 35% from the floor.
Though he led the Bulls in scoring last season, he shot poorly from the floor.
7
to have the right to speak:

Examples:

Silence, please, the prime minister has the floor.
8
to stand and begin to dance:

Examples:

The newlyweds were the first to take the floor.
9
to start speaking:

Examples:

The Majority Leader again took the floor.
10
used to invite someone to start speaking, usually at a formal event:

Examples:

Thank you very much, Ms Poole, for being here today. The floor is yours.
The press officer introduced him before gesturing towards him and loudly declaring: "The floor is yours."
"I would like to begin, if I may." - "Please do, the floor is yours."
Well, ladies and gentlemen, the floor is yours. Who would like to start?
I think that's all I have to say on the subject. Now the floor is yours.
11
the bottom surface of the sea, a forest, a cave, etc.:

Examples:

the floor of the floor of the ocean
The reef rises 100 m from the ocean floor.
The cave floor was perpetually damp.
Ferns populate the forest floor under the densest part of the canopy.
Flounder and other scavengers live along the floor of the sea.
The floor of the rainforest was covered with an impenetrable tangle of vines.
12
to hit someone and cause them to fall:

Examples:

He was floored with a single punch to the head.
13
to surprise or confuse someone so much that they are unable to think what to say or do next:

Examples:

I didn't know what to say - I was completely floored.
14
the flat surface that you walk on when you are inside a building:

Examples:

a tile floor
The children sat on the floor.
15
a level of a building; a story :

Examples:

They rented office space on the second floor.
16
the bottom surface of the sea, a forest, a valley, etc.:

Examples:

Submarines were exploring the ocean floor for signs of the wreck.
17
a public space for having formal discussions:

Examples:

The proposition was discussed on the Senate floor.
The chairman said that he would now take questions from the floor (= from the ordinary people at the meeting).
18
to surprise or shock someone:

Examples:

She was completely floored when she heard that he was leaving the country.
19
to drive a car as fast as it will go:

Examples:

His buddy started the car and floored it.
20
the lowest level, number, or amount something is allowed to reach:

Examples:

provide/keep/put a floor under sth Theoretically, buybacks put a floor under stock prices and raise earnings per share.
find/reach a floor Analysts believe the market has found a floor at about 2,560 points.
raise the floor on sth Another rule would raise the floor on the amount of assets a company must have to register with the SEC.
Many of these fixed-price contracts were signed when the price of coal was on the floor.
21
the lowest rate a country's government will allow its currency to reach in relation to other currencies:

Examples:

The euro finally seems to have hit the floor against the dollar.
22
the place where a formal or public meeting is held, or the people at the meeting:

Examples:

On the floor yesterday, House members voted down an amendment to allow fines to be waived.
In response to a question from the floor the CEO confirmed the agency would be continuing its mentor scheme.
the Senate/House/Security Council floor In his remarks on the Security Council floor today, the Commissioner called on all parties to act responsibly.
floor debate/vote During floor debate, conservatives argued that the bill violated First Amendment rights.
23
the part of a stock exchange where shares are traded:

Examples:

Traders erupted into boisterous cheers on the floor today as the market soared.
24
to decrease in price or value, usually in a short period of time:

Examples:

Sales and profits are falling through the floor, with no prospect of a recovery in sight.
25
to have the right to speak or to start to speak in a meeting:

Examples:

Excuse me, I have the floor and have the right to be listened to.
26
to become involved from the beginning in a business activity that you think will be successful:

Examples:

This is our chance to get in on the first floor of an industry that's going to be big.

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