A floating element is a block element or in-line element being specified with the "float" style property. If "float: left" is specified, a floating element will be formatted at the left margin of the parent element. The current block and sub sequent blocks will be floated on the right side of this floating element.

If "float: right" is specified, a floating element will be formatted at the left margin of the parent element. The current block and sub sequent blocks will be floated on the right side of this floating element.

Below is a good example of a floating block element and a floating inline element: