sift

verb

ˈsift 

sifted; sifting; sifts

transitive verb

1

a

: to put through a sieve

sift flour

b

: to separate or separate out by or as if by putting through a sieve

2

: to go through especially to sort out what is useful or valuable

sifted the evidence

—often used with through

sift through a pile of old letters

3

: to scatter by or as if by sifting

sift sugar on a cake

intransitive verb

1

: to use a sieve

2

: to pass or fall as if through a sieve

sifter noun

Examples of sift in a Sentence

Sift the flour into a mixing bowl.

Sift the lumps from the sugar.

The police sifted the evidence in hopes of finding a clue.

The police sifted for clues.

The lawyer sifted through the hundreds of pages of testimony.

Firefighters sifted through the debris.

Recent Examples on the Web

The task in front of them will be sifting through a 2024 draft class that experts project as a lighter group than recent years with a drop-off in talent around the top 10 or so. —Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 13 July 2024

Our conversation occurred as the VC sector sifted through a heap of new data. —Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 12 July 2024

While sifting through the rubble of a house at the site, archaeologists stumbled upon a comb. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 12 July 2024

Thomas was sifting through a box next to the migrant women. —Annie Gowen, Washington Post, 12 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English siftan; akin to Old English sife sieve

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

sift

verb

ˈsift 

1

a

: to put through a sieve

sift flour

b

: to separate or separate out by or as if by putting through a sieve

2

: to go through especially to sort out what is useful or valuable

sift evidence

sift through a pile of papers

sifter noun