filter

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 a device containing paper, sand, chemicals, etc. that a liquid or gas is passed through in order to remove any materials that are not wanted: an air / oil filter * a coffee / water filter * filter paper for the coffee machine * He smokes cigarettes without filters. 2 a device that allows only particular types of light or sound to pass through it: The camera has an anti-glare filter. 3 (BrE) a light on a set of TRAFFICLIGHTS showing that traffic can turn left or right while traffic that wants to go straight ahead must wait: a filter lane verb 1 [VN] to pass liquid, light, etc. through a special device, especially to remove sth that is not wanted: All drinking water must be filtered. * filtered air / coffee * Use a sun block that filters UVA effectively. * (figurative) My secretary is very good at filtering my calls (= making sure that calls that I do not want do not get through). seealsoFILTRATION 2 [V+adv./prep.] (of people) to move slowly in a particular direction: The doors opened and people started filtering through. 3 [V+adv./prep.] (of information, news, etc.) to slowly become known: More details about the crash are filtering through. 4 [V+adv./prep.] (of light or sound) to come into a place slowly or in small amounts: Sunlight filtered in through the curtains. 5 [V] (BrE) (of traffic at traffic lights) to turn left at traffic lights while other vehicles wanting to go straight ahead or turn right must wait PHRASALVERBS filter sth<->out to remove sth that you do not want from a liquid, light, etc. by using a special device or substance: to filter out dust particles / light / impurities * (figurative) The test is used to filter out candidates who may be unsuitable.