English Reference
noun

filtering

n.
US /ˈfɪɫtɝɪŋ/ UK /fˈɪltəɹɪŋ/ fil·ter·ing

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    the process of passing a liquid or gas through a device to clean it.

    the physical process of passing a fluid through a porous medium to remove suspended matter.

    Simple

    The filtering of the city's water supply makes it safe for everyone to drink.

    In context

    Advanced filtering of the industrial exhaust is mandatory to ensure that no toxic particulates are released into the local atmosphere.

    Usage

    Often used as an uncountable noun in technical contexts.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Computing

    the act of choosing or hiding specific information, especially on a computer.

    the systematic selection or exclusion of data based on specific criteria.

    Simple

    The email app uses smart filtering to move spam messages to a separate folder.

    In context

    The software allows for the precise filtering of search results, enabling researchers to isolate relevant papers by date and citation count.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the context of internet security and database management.

The researchers showed that useful information could also be extracted without such filtering, simplifying the equipment needed in the field.

Phys.org· 1 Sept 2026

In the largest dataset, artifacts explained 93% of the 1945–2010 decline; after filtering errors, the decline largely disappeared.

Phys.org· 12 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated