Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense filters, present participle filtering, past tense, past participle filtered
1. verb
To filter a substance means to pass it through a device which is designed to remove certainparticles contained in it.
The best prevention for cholera is to boil or filter water, and eat only well-cookedfood. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: purify, treat, strain, refine More Synonyms of filter
2. countable noun
A filter is a device through which a substance is passed when it is being filtered.
...a paper coffee filter.
Synonyms: sieve, mesh, gauze, strainer More Synonyms of filter
3. countable noun
A filter is a device through which sound or light is passed and which blocks or reduces particularsound or light frequencies.
You might use a yellow filter to improve the clarity of a hazy horizon.
4. verb
If light or sound filtersinto a place, it comes in weakly or slowly, either through a partly covered opening, or from a long distance away.
Light filtered into my kitchen through the soft, green shade of the cherry tree. [V + into/through]
5. verb
When news or information filters through to people, it gradually reaches them.
It took months before the findings began to filter through to the politicians. [V + through to]
News of the attack quickly filtered through the college. [VERB + through]
...as indications filter in from polling stations. [Vin]
...the horror stories which were beginning to filter out of Germany. [V + out of]
Synonyms: seep, trickle, percolate, reach gradually More Synonyms of filter
6. countable noun
A traffic filter is a traffic signal or lane which controls the movement of traffic wanting to turn left or right.
[British]
Phrasal verbs:
See filter out
More Synonyms of filter
filter in British English
(ˈfɪltə)
noun
1.
a porous substance, such as paper or sand, that allows fluid to pass but retains suspended solid particles: used to clean fluids or collect solid particles
2.
any device containing such a porous substance for separating suspensions from fluids
3.
any of various porous substances built into the mouth end of a cigarette or cigar for absorbing impurities such as tar
4.
any electronic, optical, or acoustic device that blocks signals or radiations of certain frequencies while allowing others to pass
See also band-pass filter
5.
a computer program that processes data in order to remove items that correspond to certain criteria
a spam filter
6.
any transparent disc of gelatine or glass used to eliminate or reduce the intensity of given frequencies from the light leaving a lamp, entering a camera, etc
7. British
a traffic signal at a road junction consisting of a green arrow which when illuminated permits vehicles to turn either left or right when the main signals are red
8.
a function of image-editing software that allows the user to alter a feature of a complete image, for example its colour
9. informal
a notional process by which a person is able to modify socially unacceptable thoughts into socially acceptable speech or behaviour
verb
10. (often foll by out)
to remove or separate (suspended particles, wavelengths of radiation, etc) from (a liquid, gas, radiation, etc) by the action of a filter
11. (transitive)
to obtain by filtering
12. (intransitive; foll bythrough)
to pass (through a filter or something like a filter)
dust filtered through the screen
13. (intransitive)
to flow slowly; trickle
Word origin
C16 filtre from Medieval Latin filtrum piece of felt used as a filter, of Germanic origin; see felt2
filter in American English
(ˈfɪltər)
noun
1.
a device for separating solid particles, impurities, etc. from a liquid or gas bypassing it through a porous substance
2.
any porous substance used or suitable for this, as sand, charcoal, felt, etc.
3. Physics
a.
a device or substance that passes electric currents of certain frequencies or frequency ranges while preventing the passage of others
b.
a device or substance that partially or completely absorbs certain light rays
a color filter for a camera lens
verb transitive
4.
to pass (a liquid or gas) through a filter
5.
to remove or separate (solid particles, impurities, etc.) from a liquid or gas bymeans of a filter
often with out
6.
to act as a filter for
verb intransitive
7.
to pass through or as if through a filter
8.
to move or pass slowly
the news filtered through town
Word origin
ME filtre < OFr < ML filtrum, feltrum, felt, fulled wool (used for straining liquors) < Gmc: see felt1
filter in Automotive Engineering
(fɪltər)
Word forms: (regular plural) filters
noun
(Automotive engineering: Vehicle components, Engine, transmission, and exhaust)
A filter is a device through which air, fuel, or oil is passed to remove unwanted particles.
COLLOCATIONS: air ~fuel ~oil ~
You need to clean the oil filter and completely change the oil.
Your car's air filter is extremely important in helping your engine to breathe.
A clogged air filter causes diminished airflow into the engine.
A filter is a vessel or stage in which solids are removed from a liquid by passing it through something porous.
These types of filters are generally used as a first step to remove any large particles or debris that couldbe harmful to the remainder of the system.
Suspended solids are the portions of solids that are retained on a filterof a standard specified size under particular conditions.
A filter is a vessel or stage in which solids are removed from a liquid by passing it throughsomething porous.
filter paper, filtrate
Related wordsWords related to filteringMaterials used for filtering include cotton batting, filter paper and pressed felt.Types of filter include fabric filters, screens and vacuum filters.Filtering processes include electrofiltration, microfiltration and nanofiltration.The liquid that comes out of a filter is called a filtrate.
Examples of 'filter' in a sentence
filter
It makes filters and membranes used in labs for forensic and diagnostic work.
The Sun (2008)
This is because light filtered through glass is missing the more beneficial part of the spectrum.
Martlew, Gillian & Silver, Shelley Stay Well This Winter (1989)
The real danger we have to guard against is filter coffee.
The Sun (2014)
Some delivery and minicab firms routinely removed the filters to cut costs.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
His filtering devices would be like large trees and could be placed anywhere.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The information continues to filter through slowly and methodically.
Admiral Sandy Woodward, With Patrick Robinson ONE HUNDRED DAYS (2003)
It also filters harmful blue light in fog and wet driving conditions.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The cups feature a new lid design that filters the coffee as you drink it.
The Sun (2014)
The undies neutralise smells thanks to a filter which removes odours through a thin and flexible carbon cloth.
The Sun (2013)
But remove your perception filter and all of a sudden they look more like fish from outer space.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
To walk on a sunny day in the brilliant green light filtering through the leaves is a delight.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Opt for hedges rather than walls or fences as they will filter dust pollution and can provide a home for wildlife too.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There are reports some athletes live in special houses where filters are used to reduce the amount of oxygen in the air.
The Sun (2015)
It filters down right from the top, from the manager and the chairman.
The Sun (2009)
It was very hard when those players who didn't make the cut filtered away.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The light entering the room was green, filtered through the trees outside.
Aldiss, Brian Somewhere East of Life (1994)
The dust filters down through the air, and sounds carry for long distances.
Christianity Today (2000)
No plain old filter coffee here, oh no.
The Sun (2015)
You can use filters to find works to suit your tastes and budget that might be by artists you had not come across before.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The success of the Test side is now slowly filtering down to all England teams.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Remind yourself that the right filter can be fantastically flattering, and she probably doesn't look that good in real life.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Equipment allegedly used to mix the chemicals included coffee filters, a device to test for acidity, scales and a thermometer.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
filter
British English: filter /ˈfɪltə/ NOUN
A filter is a device through which a substance is passed when it is being filtered.
...an oil filter.
American English: filter
Arabic: جِهَاز تَرْشِيح
Brazilian Portuguese: filtro
Chinese: 过滤器
Croatian: filter
Czech: filtr
Danish: filter
Dutch: filter
European Spanish: filtro
Finnish: suodatin
French: filtre
German: Filter
Greek: φίλτρο
Italian: filtro
Japanese: 濾過器
Korean: 필터
Norwegian: filter
Polish: filtr
European Portuguese: filtro
Romanian: filtru
Russian: фильтр
Latin American Spanish: filtro
Swedish: filter
Thai: เครื่องกรอง
Turkish: filtre
Ukrainian: фільтр
Vietnamese: cái lọc
British English: filter /ˈfɪltə/ VERB
To filter a substance, or to filter particles out of a substance, means to pass it through a device which removes the particles from it.
You must boil or filter the water here to make it safe to drink.
American English: filter
Arabic: يُصَفِّي
Brazilian Portuguese: filtrar
Chinese: 过滤
Croatian: filtrirati
Czech: filtrovat
Danish: filtrere
Dutch: filteren
European Spanish: filtrar
Finnish: suodattaa
French: filtrer
German: filtern
Greek: φιλτράρω
Italian: filtrare
Japanese: 濾過する
Korean: 거르다 거르다
Norwegian: filtrere
Polish: przefiltrować
European Portuguese: filtrar
Romanian: a filtra
Russian: фильтровать
Latin American Spanish: filtrar
Swedish: filtrera
Thai: กรอง
Turkish: süzmek
Ukrainian: фільтрувати
Vietnamese: lọc
All related terms of 'filter'
air filter
a filter that prevents dust and other particles from entering the air-intake of an internal-combustion engine
filter bed
a layer of sand or gravel in a tank or reservoir through which a liquid is passed so as to purify it
filter cake
the solid material accumulated by a filter press
filter lane
a lane governed by a filter at a traffic light, from which traffic can turn left or right while other traffic is held up by a red light
filter out
To filter out something from a substance or from light means to remove it by passing the substance or light through something acting as a filter.
filter pump
a vacuum pump used to assist laboratory filtrations in which a jet of water inside a glass tube entrains air molecules from the system to be evacuated
filter tip
A filter tip is a small device at the end of a cigarette that reduces the amount of dangerous substances that pass into the smoker's body. Filter tips are cigarettes that are manufactured with these devices.
oil filter
a filter that removes impurities from engine oil
active filter
An active filter is any filter using an op amp .
coffee filter
a paper filter used when making coffee
color filter
colored glass , dyed gelatin, etc., used to produce certain color or light effects, as in photography
colour filter
a thin layer of coloured gelatine , glass , etc, that transmits light of certain colours or wavelengths but considerably reduces the transmission of others
fabric filter
A fabric filter is a type of filter in which solids are removed from a gas by passing it though a fabric.
filter coffee
coffee made by filtering hot water through ground coffee
filter feeder
an animal that feeds by filtering small organisms or food particles from the water or air, as a clam , baleen whale , or sponge
filter light
a porous substance, such as paper or sand , that allows fluid to pass but retains suspended solid particles : used to clean fluids or collect solid particles
filter paper
a porous paper used for filtering liquids
filter press
an apparatus used for filtration consisting of a set of frames covered with filter cloth on both sides, between which the liquid to be filtered is pumped
vacuum filter
A vacuum filter is a filter in which the liquid passes through more easily because of a vacuum on the liquid output side.
water filter
a device for removing impurities from water
bandpass filter
A bandpass filter is a filter designed to pass all frequencies within a band of frequencies.
bandstop filter
A bandstop filter is a filter designed to eliminate all frequencies within a band of frequencies.
dichroic filter
an optical colour filter operating on the principle of wave interference between closely spaced reflecting surfaces, rather than by colour absorption
filter feeding
a method of feeding occurring in some aquatic animals, such as planktonic invertebrates and whalebone whales , in which minute food particles are filtered from the surrounding water
skylight filter
a very slightly pink filter that absorbs ultraviolet light and reduces haze and excessive blueness
filter cigarette
a cigarette with a filter tip
particulate filter
A particulate filter is a filter to remove particles that are present the air, for example in the exhaust of a diesel engine.
band-pass filter
a filter that transmits only those currents having a frequency lying within specified limits
high-pass filter
a filter that transmits all frequencies above a specified value , substantially attenuating frequencies below this value
low-pass filter
a filter that transmits all frequencies below a specified value, substantially attenuating frequencies above this value
pass-band filter
→ band-pass filter
Chinese translation of 'filter'
filter
(ˈfɪltəʳ)
n(c)
(for water, oil) 过(過)滤(濾)器 (guòlǜqì) (个(個), gè)
(Phot) 滤(濾)器 (lǜqì)
vt
[water, soil etc]过(過)滤(濾) (guòlǜ)
(noun)
Definition
a substance, such as paper or sand, that allows fluid to pass but retains solid particles
a paper coffee filter
Synonyms
sieve
Press the raspberries through a fine sieve to form a puree.
mesh
gauze
strainer
a tea strainer
membrane
riddle
sifter
1 (verb)
Definition
to remove or separate (particles) from (a liquid or gas) by a filter
Water filtered through the peat.
Synonyms
trickle
leach
Minerals leach from the soil much faster on cleared land.
seep
Radioactive water had seeped into underground reservoirs.
percolate
well
Blood welled from a gash in his thigh.
escape
leak
The pool's sides had cracked and the water had leaked out.
penetrate
ooze
Blood was still oozing from the wound.
dribble
Sweat dribbled down his face.
exude
the fluid that exudes from the cane toad's back
2 (verb)
Definition
to pass through a filter or something like a filter
The best prevention for cholera is to filter water.
Synonyms
purify
Plants can filter and purify the air in your office.
treat
strain
Strain the stock and put it back in the pan.
refine
Oil is refined so as to remove naturally occurring impurities.
riddle
sift
Sift the flour and baking powder into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
sieve
Sieve the icing sugar into the bowl.
winnow
filtrate
screen
It was their job to screen information for their bosses.
3 (verb)
The news began to filter through to the politicians.
Synonyms
seep
trickle
A tear trickled down his cheek.
percolate
These truths begin to percolate through our minds.
reach gradually
Additional synonyms
in the sense of dribble
Definition
to flow or allow to flow in a thin stream or drops
Sweat dribbled down his face.
Synonyms
run,
drip,
trickle,
drop,
leak,
ooze,
seep,
fall in drops
in the sense of exude
Definition
(of a liquid or smell) to seep or flow out slowly and steadily
the fluid that exudes from the cane toad's back
Synonyms
seep,
leak,
sweat,
bleed,
weep,
trickle,
ooze,
emanate,
issue,
filter through,
well forth
in the sense of leach
Definition
to remove or be removed from a substance by a liquid passing through it
Minerals leach from the soil much faster on cleared land.