Definitions

1. verb

to pass or cause to pass through a sieve or fine mesh, in order to separate particles of different sizes or to remove impurities.

“She sifted the flour to remove the lumps.”

2. verb

to search or examine carefully, often in order to find or obtain something.

“He sifted through the old boxes in search of a family heirloom.”

3. noun

the act of passing or causing to pass through a sieve or fine mesh.

“The sifting of the sand was a time-consuming process.”

4. noun

a person or thing that sifts, especially one that searches or examines carefully.

“The editor was a good sift, able to spot errors in the manuscript.”