Winnow

Quick meaning: Winnow is a verb meaning (transitive, figuratively) To separate, sift, analyse, or test by separating items having different values.

Meaning

(transitive, figuratively) To separate, sift, analyse, or test by separating items having different values.

More Meanings

1. (transitive, literary) To blow upon or toss about by blowing; to set in motion as with a fan or wings.
2. (intransitive, literary, dated) To move about with a flapping motion, as of wings; to flutter.
3. That which winnows or which is used in winnowing; a contrivance for fanning or winnowing grain.
4. The act of winnowing
5. (transitive, agriculture, literal) To subject (granular material, especially food grain) to a current of air separating heavier and lighter components, as grain from chaff.

Example Sentences

They winnowed the field to twelve.

They winnowed the winners from the losers.

They winnowed the losers from the winners.

[W]ind began to winnow the river delta's dried sediments.

Word Forms

• winnows
• winnowing
• winnowed

Synonyms for winnow

Depending on context, synonyms include wind, comb out, fan, winnowing, sifting.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include sifting, fan, sift, wind, eventilate, dress.

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