# filtering

/ˈfɪɫtɝɪŋ/ (US) · /fˈɪltəɹɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/filtering
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. removing impurities

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

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

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

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

## Examples

- The water plant uses sand for filtering.
- She spent the morning filtering job applications to find the best candidates.
- The new software includes advanced filtering options that allow users to sort data by date, category, and relevance.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.