noun
filter
FIHL-tuh
noun
1
A device or material that removes unwanted particles, substances, or signals from something passing through it.
"Replace the air filter every three months."
"The water filter removes chlorine and sediment."
2
A digital effect applied to an image or a setting that screens out unwanted content.
"She applied a warm filter to the photo before posting it."
verb
1
To pass something through a filter, or to sort and remove unwanted elements.
"The app lets you filter search results by price."
"Coffee grounds are filtered out before you drink the coffee."
How to Use Filter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that screens out unwanted material — whether from liquid, air, search results, or a photo — or the act of doing that screening.
Common pairings
air filter
water filter
filter results
Instagram filter
Word Forms
filtered past tense, filters plural, Filters plural, filters singular
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Etymology
From Medieval Latin filtrum, related to Old French feutre ("felt"), since early filters were made from felted material.