winnow

[ win-oh ]

verb (used with object)

1. to free (grain) from the lighter particles of chaff, dirt, etc., especially by throwing it into the air and allowing the wind or a forced current of air to blow away impurities.
2. to drive or blow (chaff, dirt, etc.) away by fanning.
3. to blow upon; fan.
4. to subject to some process of separating or distinguishing; analyze critically; sift:

   to winnow a mass of statements.

5. to separate or distinguish (valuable from worthless parts) (sometimes followed by out ):

   to winnow falsehood from truth.

6. to pursue (a course) with flapping wings in flying.
7. to fan or stir (the air) as with the wings in flying.

verb (used without object)

1. to free grain from chaff by wind or driven air.
2. to fly with flapping wings; flutter.

noun

1. a device or contrivance used for winnowing.
2. an act of winnowing.

winnow

/ ˈwɪnəʊ /

verb

1. to separate (grain) from (chaff) by means of a wind or current of air
2. tr to examine in order to select the desirable elements
3. archaic.
   tr to beat (the air) with wings
4. rare.
   tr to blow upon; fan

noun

1. 1. a device for winnowing
   2. the act or process of winnowing

Derived Forms

• ˈwinnower, noun

Other Words From

• winnow·er noun
• un·winnowed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of winnow¹

before 900; Middle English win ( d ) wen (v.), Old English windwian, derivative of wind wind ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of winnow¹

Old English windwian; related to Old High German wintōn, Gothic diswinthjan, Latin ventilāre. See wind ¹

Example Sentences

As the number of participating countries expanded over the decades, the E.B.U. set up two semifinals to winnow the field; the first took place on Tuesday, and the second happens Thursday.

From New York Times

The comments demonstrate why Trump is in no rush to pick his potential second-in-command or publicly winnow his choices.

From Seattle Times

It and a second semifinal on Thursday will winnow a field of 37 nations to 26 who will compete in Saturday’s final against a backdrop of both parties and protests.

From Seattle Times

In the governor’s race, endorsement for Bird handed him publicity and momentum, but it won’t stop Reichert from continuing to run in the Aug. 6 primary, which will winnow the race to two finalists for the November general election.

From Seattle Times

A company called Winnow has developed the A.I. tool that spies on restaurant garbage.

From New York Times

Related Words

• analyze
• discriminate
• distinguish
• separate
• sift