floor

/flɔːr/ noun

Definition

› ECONOMICS the lowest level, number, or amount something is allowed to reach: 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. → Compare ceiling

› FINANCE, MONEY the lowest rate a country's government will allow its currency to reach in relation to other currencies: The euro finally seems to have hit the floor against the dollar.

the floor › MEETINGS the place where a formal or public meeting is held, or the people at the meeting: 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. › STOCK MARKET the part of a stock exchange where shares are traded: Traders erupted into boisterous cheers on the floor today as the market soared.

drop/fall/go through the floor › to decrease in price or value, usually in a short period of time: Sales and profits are falling through the floor, with no prospect of a recovery in sight.

have/take the floor › MEETINGS to have the right to speak or to start to speak in a meeting: Excuse me, I have the floor and have the right to be listened to.

get in on the ground floor UK informal (US also get in on the first floor) › to become involved from the beginning in a business activity that you think will be successful: This is our chance to get in on the first floor of an industry that's going to be big. → See also dealing floor, factory floor, the shop floor, trading floor

(Definition of floor noun from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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