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

For example, restoring wetlands, forests, and river basins can enhance water retention and filtration. —Jamil Wyne, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

This filtration system ensures that your floors are getting their most thorough clean, while also ridding your space of irritants like dust that can cause allergy flare-ups. —Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 18 Apr. 2025

The whisky was bottled at 48.9 percent ABV with natural color and no chill filtration. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2025

Officials planned to use the funds to construct a filtration system to remove PFAS from Fayetteville's drinking water and bring it up to the EPA's new standards. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025

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
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

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