plural filters
1
a
: a porous article or mass (as of paper or sand) through which a gas or liquid is passed to separate out matter in suspension
a coffee filter
replaced the car's air filter
When air is inhaled, the oxygen is used and the remaining air is exhaled through a filter which removes the carbon dioxide.—
Hollis F. Fait et al.
Hollis F. Fait et al.
b
: an apparatus containing a filter medium
If you plan to install a [water] filter, we think you should avoid one that uses powdered activated carbon in a pad.—Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports2
a
: a device or material for suppressing or minimizing waves or oscillations of certain frequencies (as of electricity, light, or sound)
In essence a filter is a module that takes incoming audio and removes a controllable portion of the frequency range.—Electronic Musician
Electronic Musician
b
: a transparent material (such as colored glass) that absorbs light of certain wavelengths or colors selectively and is used for modifying light that reaches a sensitized photographic material
The photos were taken through a filter that isolates the red … light emitted by hydrogen gas.—Astronomy
Astronomycalled also color filter
3
: something that selectively alters or removes like a filter (as by holding back elements or modifying the appearance of something)
Everything you eat, drink, and breathe passes through your liver. It is your body's filter.—American Liver Foundation
American Liver Foundation(figurative) But that was only how it appeared to [Drew] Carey later on, through the filter of time and success and a lot of money.—Richard Ouzounian
: such as
Richard Ouzounian
a
: a software tool that alters the appearance of a digital image
The proliferation of digitally altered images through beauty filters and face-perfecting apps has led to a reshaping and narrowing of the beauty ideal.—Jennifer Sullivan
Jennifer SullivanSince launching with still-image offerings like photo frames and filters, the app has evolved into a full creative suite …—Alex York
Alex YorkSelect artwork will have the option to become 'animated' when viewed through Corona's custom Instagram filter—a fun experience for guests.—ENP Newswire
ENP Newswire
b
: software for restricting access to certain online material
The act, which … was later upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, requires libraries and schools to install filters for obscene and pornographic material.—Emily Gurnon
Emily Gurnon4
: the ability to refrain from expressing something (such as a thought, point of view, or belief) that may seem inappropriate, offensive, etc. to others
She was a comical woman who sometimes lacked a filter, causing the group of us to double over in laughter.—Maddi Loiselle
Maddi Loiselle"Adding the fact that he has no filter and isn't careful about what he says, which got him here in the first place, he's likely to turn off the judge and jury."—Neama Rahmani, quoted at Newsweek.com
Neama Rahmani, quoted at Newsweek.com
filtered; filtering
ˈfil-t(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to pass or move through or as if through a filter
2
: to come or go in small units over a period of time
people began filtering in
Synonyms
Examples of filter in a Sentence
Noun
She smokes cigarettes with filters.
He placed a red filter on the camera lens.
digital filters that stop high-frequency sounds
Verb
They've begun filtering their water to remove impurities.
a device that filters impurities from water
sunglasses that filter ultraviolet light
Sunlight filtered through the leaves.
His ideas have filtered down to his children.
The crowd filtered into the arena.
Early election returns have begun to filter in.
Recent Examples on the Web
New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2024
The filters come in three colors — red, copper or black — and can be purchased individually or as part of a set with a bag of Nguyen’s own Nam coffee beans.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024
In a dynamic landscape, the need for data warehousing is becoming increasingly apparent, and there are a myriad of tools available that can distill large volumes of information and complex variables, filter out extraneous information and even draw conclusions for you.
—Naveen Singh, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for filter 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Plus, each purchase includes an extra composite filter, ensuring you’re set for years without the hassle of frequent replacements.
—New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2024
The filters come in three colors — red, copper or black — and can be purchased individually or as part of a set with a bag of Nguyen’s own Nam coffee beans.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
But wait times stayed well under an hour statewide in the morning and early afternoon, even as a steady stream of voters filtered through voting locations.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024
In a dynamic landscape, the need for data warehousing is becoming increasingly apparent, and there are a myriad of tools available that can distill large volumes of information and complex variables, filter out extraneous information and even draw conclusions for you.
—Naveen Singh, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for filter
Dictionary Entries Near filter
Cite this Entry
“Filter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filter. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
filter
1 of 2 noun
fil·ter
ˈfil-tər
1
: a substance with pores through which a gas or liquid is passed to separate out floating matter
2
: a device containing a filter
3
: a transparent material (as colored glass) that absorbs light of some wavelengths and is used to change light (as in photography)
filter
2 of 2 verb
filtered; filtering
-t(ə-)riŋ
1
: to expose to the action of a filter
2
: to remove by means of a filter
3
: to pass through or as if through a filter
Medical Definition
filter
1 of 2 noun
fil·ter
ˈfil-tər
1
: a porous article or mass (as of paper or sand) through which a gas or liquid is passed to separate out matter in suspension
2
: an apparatus containing a filter medium
3
a
: a device or material for suppressing or minimizing waves or oscillations of certain frequencies (as of electricity, light, or sound)
b
: a transparent material (as colored glass) that absorbs light of certain wavelengths or colors selectively and is used for modifying light that reaches a sensitized photographic material
called also color filter
filter
2 of 2 verb
filtered; filtering
-t(ə-)riŋ
: to pass or move through or as if through a filter
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