filtration

noun

fil·​tra·​tion fil-ˈtrā-shən 

1

: the process of filtering

2

: the process of passing through or as if through a filter

also : diffusion

Examples of filtration in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Glass bottles of water (the resort has its own filtration plant) replace single-use plastic, and the property reuses most of its runoff water for the gardens. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026

Airplanes are already equipped with air filtration systems to minimize the general risk of disease spread onboard. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 7 May 2026

In 2016, the Alabama cities of Gadsden and Centre sued Mohawk, Shaw, 3M, DuPont and others to fund advanced filtration systems, ultimately settling for an undisclosed sum and no admission of wrongdoing by the companies. —Dylan Jackson, ABC News, 6 May 2026

Release of dung increases soil organic carbon and helps build soil structure that improves water filtration and soil aeration. —Paige Stein, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin filtrātiōn-, filtrātiō, from filtrāre "to pass through a filter" + Latin -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at filtrate

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for filtration

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

filtration

noun

fil·​tra·​tion fil-ˈtrā-shən 

: the act or process of filtering

Medical Definition

filtration

noun

fil·​tra·​tion fil-ˈtrā-shən 

1

: the process of filtering

2

: the process of passing through or as if through a filter

also : diffusion

the kidney produces urine by filtration