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

When a windrow is sufficiently broken down, it’s sifted for debris, including larger pieces of organic material and contaminants like plastic. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024

To piece together Pierson's crimes and capture, The Courier Journal sifted through court files and transcripts and traveled to Arkansas and Oklahoma to interview agents, prosecutors and the surprising tipster who exposed Pierson's scheme. —Beth Warren, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024

According to the report, the tool, trained by Israeli military data scientists, sifted through a huge trove of surveillance data and other information to generate targets for assassination. —Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

Indeed introduced a new AI tool to expedite hiring tasks, like drafting emails and sifting through applicants, saving recruiters on average six hours a week. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024

Press one button to find filters, and use the arrows to sift through them and find your favorite. —Alesandra Dubin, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024

Our team of Glamour shopping editors sifted through hundreds of deals to find the ones that are truly worth your coins. —Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2024

At the same time, with the explosion of available data and signals for sourcing, VC and PE investors are deploying AI to sift through the information to uncover great founders and startups before their peers. —Ray Zhou, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Be sure to sift together the dry ingredients for optimal fluffiness and height. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 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