sift

verb

ˈsift 

sifted; sifting; sifts

transitive verb

1

a

: to put through a sieve

sift flour

b

: to separate or separate out by or as if by putting through a sieve

2

: to go through especially to sort out what is useful or valuable

sifted the evidence

—often used with through

sift through a pile of old letters

3

: to scatter by or as if by sifting

sift sugar on a cake

intransitive verb

1

: to use a sieve

2

: to pass or fall as if through a sieve

sifter noun

Examples of sift in a Sentence

Sift the flour into a mixing bowl.

Sift the lumps from the sugar.

The police sifted the evidence in hopes of finding a clue.

The police sifted for clues.

The lawyer sifted through the hundreds of pages of testimony.

Firefighters sifted through the debris.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a medium-sized bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. —Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 2024

Banish analysis paralysis with the help of these 14 tips, courtesy of Forbes Communications Council, and learn how to sift through data, analyze it and extract valuable insights without getting overwhelmed. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

In footage released a couple years ago to mark the band’s 12th anniversary, Scherzinger and Simon Cowell can be seen sifting through photos of potential members. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024

Investors are sifting through the latest earnings reports from Bank of America, Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, who all reported before the bell Tuesday. —Kristian Burt, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English siftan; akin to Old English sife sieve

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

sift

verb

ˈsift 

1

a

: to put through a sieve

sift flour

b

: to separate or separate out by or as if by putting through a sieve

2

: to go through especially to sort out what is useful or valuable

sift evidence

sift through a pile of papers

sifter noun