# screen

/ˈskɹin/ (US) · /skɹˈiːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/screen
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. electronic display

noun · CEFR A2

the flat surface on a television, computer, or phone where you see images.

For teachers: the physical surface on which visual information or images are displayed in electronic devices.

- He spent the whole afternoon staring at his computer screen.
- The high-resolution screen provides exceptional clarity, making it ideal for professional photographers who need to see fine details in their work.

### 2. physical divider

noun · CEFR B1

a light wall or piece of furniture used to hide something or divide a room.

For teachers: a movable or fixed partition used to provide shelter, privacy, or to divide a space.

- She changed her clothes behind a wooden screen in the corner of the room.
- The architect used a perforated metal screen to provide privacy for the balcony while still allowing natural light to filter into the apartment.

### 3. mesh or filter

noun · CEFR B2

a frame with fine wire that lets air through but keeps insects out.

For teachers: a frame containing a mesh of wire or plastic, used to prevent the passage of insects or to separate particles by size.

- We should fix the screen on the window before the mosquitoes come inside.
- The industrial screen was designed to filter out large debris from the water supply before it reached the treatment plant.

### 4. to test or check

verb · CEFR B2

to test or examine someone to see if they have a disease or are suitable for a job.

For teachers: to carry out a systematic investigation or medical test on a group of people to identify specific characteristics or risks.

- The hospital will screen all new patients for the virus.
- The recruitment agency will screen all applicants thoroughly to ensure they meet the strict security requirements for the government position.

### 5. to show a film

verb · CEFR B1

to show a movie or television programme to an audience.

For teachers: to project or broadcast a film or television programme for public viewing.

- The local cinema plans to screen the new documentary next Tuesday.
- The film festival will screen over fifty independent features, many of which have never been seen by a domestic audience before.

### 6. to hide or protect

verb · CEFR B2

to hide something or protect it from being seen.

For teachers: to conceal or protect something from view or from a physical threat.

- A row of tall trees was planted to screen the house from the busy road.
- The military used smoke to screen their movements from the enemy during the tactical retreat across the valley.

## Examples

- I cracked the screen on my new phone.
- The teacher asked the students to look at the screen for the next slide of the presentation.
- Modern smartphones use high-resolution screens that remain legible even under direct sunlight, a significant advancement over the liquid crystal displays of previous decades.

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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.