filter

1 of 2

noun

fil·​ter ˈfil-tər How to pronounce filter (audio)
1
a
: a porous article or mass (as of paper or sand) through which a gas or liquid is passed to separate out matter in suspension
b
: an apparatus containing a filter medium
2
a
: a device or material for suppressing or minimizing waves or oscillations of certain frequencies (as of electricity, light, or sound)
b
: a transparent material (such as colored glass) that absorbs light of certain wavelengths or colors selectively and is used for modifying light that reaches a sensitized photographic material

called also color filter

3
: something that has the effect of a filter (as by holding back elements or modifying the appearance of something)
his work is too often viewed through the filter of raceBrent Staples
4
: software for sorting or blocking access to certain online material

filter

2 of 2

verb

filtered; filtering ˈfil-t(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce filter (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to subject to the action of a filter
2
: to remove by means of a filter

intransitive verb

1
: to pass or move through or as if through a filter
2
: to come or go in small units over a period of time
people began filtering in

Examples of filter in a Sentence

Noun She smokes cigarettes with filters. He placed a red filter on the camera lens. digital filters that stop high-frequency sounds Verb They've begun filtering their water to remove impurities. a device that filters impurities from water sunglasses that filter ultraviolet light Sunlight filtered through the leaves. His ideas have filtered down to his children. The crowd filtered into the arena. Early election returns have begun to filter in.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The filter must be made specifically for solar viewing, Stocks said. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2024 The next filter of the AAII Lakonishok screen requires that the 13-week relative strength of a company is equal to or greater than the 26-week relative strength. Charles Rotblut, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The fat harvested from the emu is passed through filters to get pure emu oil.1 The end product can vary from an off-white creamy texture to a bright yellow liquid. Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2024 Sky-watchers should never view any part of the sun through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses without specific solar filters attached to them. Denise Chow, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2024 Showerhead filters are not regulated, making verifying their claims and effectiveness difficult. Sherri Gordon, Health, 26 Feb. 2024 Dior Nail Glow Think of this like an Instagram filter for your nails. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2024 The filter is made out of a membrane microfilter with tiny pores that physically block particles, even microscopic organisms like E. coli and Giardia, from passing through it. Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 24 Feb. 2024 The trend gained momentum on social media last year after influencers touted it as a more effective alternative to filters for facial smoothing in photos and videos. Kristina Behr, Parents, 23 Feb. 2024
Verb
It can be collected, filtered and made drinkable or used for other purposes. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 Now, new research suggests that a simple, cheap measure may significantly reduce the level of microplastics in water from your tap: boiling and filtering it. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 Even allowing for the nostalgic gauze filtering the lens of memory, studio veterans speak of Paramount as kind of backlot Camelot. Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 Looking back at past public appearances, Presley says one of her favorite things is seeing the younger generations that filter through the doors, sometimes modeled after her in retro 60s fashion with colorful cocktail swing dresses and bouffant hair, and others styled after Elvis himself. Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 29 Feb. 2024 While pure talent plays its role in every facet of business, a commitment to putting in the hours rain or shine is what filters winners from the rest. Alexander Puutio, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Gradually De Keersmaeker’s delicate nuance began to filter through. Gia Kourlas, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024 Even into the late nineteenth century, oysters could filter the entire Chesapeake Bay water column in less than a week. Louise Schiavone, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 This included carefully curating the data on which Gemma was trained to filter out any personal information so that the model would not later be able to leak it. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'filter.' 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

Noun

Middle English filtre "felt, felt carpet, piece of felt used as a filter," borrowed from Medieval Latin filtrum "felt cloth, cover or blanket of felt, piece of felt used as a filter," borrowed from *filtir (going back to *filtizō) in a West Germanic language, plural of *filt-, *felt- "felted cloth" — more at felt entry 1

Verb

derivative of filter entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1576, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of filter was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near filter

Cite this Entry

“Filter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filter. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

filter

1 of 2 noun
fil·​ter ˈfil-tər How to pronounce filter (audio)
1
: a substance with pores through which a gas or liquid is passed to separate out floating matter
2
: a device containing a filter
3
: a transparent material (as colored glass) that absorbs light of some wavelengths and is used to change light (as in photography)

filter

2 of 2 verb
filtered; filtering -t(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce filter (audio)
1
: to expose to the action of a filter
2
: to remove by means of a filter
3
: to pass through or as if through a filter

Medical Definition

filter

1 of 2 noun
fil·​ter ˈfil-tər How to pronounce filter (audio)
1
: a porous article or mass (as of paper or sand) through which a gas or liquid is passed to separate out matter in suspension
2
: an apparatus containing a filter medium
3
a
: a device or material for suppressing or minimizing waves or oscillations of certain frequencies (as of electricity, light, or sound)
b
: a transparent material (as colored glass) that absorbs light of certain wavelengths or colors selectively and is used for modifying light that reaches a sensitized photographic material

called also color filter

filter

2 of 2 verb
filtered; filtering -t(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce filter (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to subject to the action of a filter
2
: to remove by means of a filter

intransitive verb

: to pass or move through or as if through a filter

More from Merriam-Webster on filter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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