sifted; sifting; sifts
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 throughsift through a pile of old letters
3
: to scatter by or as if by sifting
sift sugar on a cake
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
In a bowl, sift together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and baking soda and set aside.
—
John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
In any moment, the brain is sifting and merging signals from all internal corners of the body.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
A lot of confusion, as well as pressure, to sift through around what to do with your natural body hair—for both kids and parents.
—Liz Regalia, Parents, 27 Dec. 2025
All decisions about retirement and reelection are sifted through the filter of electoral and partisan considerations.
—Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sift
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John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
In any moment, the brain is sifting and merging signals from all internal corners of the body.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
A lot of confusion, as well as pressure, to sift through around what to do with your natural body hair—for both kids and parents.
—Liz Regalia, Parents, 27 Dec. 2025
All decisions about retirement and reelection are sifted through the filter of electoral and partisan considerations.
—Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sift
Cite this Entry
“Sift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sift. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sift
verb1
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
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