filter

I UK [ˈfɪltə(r)] / US [ˈfɪltər] noun [countable]
Word forms "filter":
singular filter plural filters
**

1) science an object or piece of equipment that allows you to remove solid parts that are not wanted from a liquid or gas

a water filter

2) a glass or plastic object that you put on a camera to change the colour or amount of light that passes through the lens

3) computing a computer program that prevents some types of information from appearing on your computer when you search the Internet

4) a filter tip

5) British a traffic light that gives a separate signal to traffic turning in a particular direction

II UK [ˈfɪltə(r)] / US [ˈfɪltər] verb
Word forms "filter":
present tense I/you/we/they filter he/she/it filters present participle filtering past tense filtered past participle filtered
*

1) [intransitive] if light or sound filters into a place, only a little of it enters that place

filter through/in/into etc:

The August sunlight filtered in through the blinds.

The noise of the traffic filtered through the heavy curtains.

2) [intransitive] if news or information filters out or through to people, they receive it gradually or after a period of time

filter through/out/back etc:

News of the decision filtered out to reporters.

These new ideas have not yet filtered down to sales staff.

3) [transitive] to pass something through a filter to remove particular things contained in it

Everything we download from the Internet is automatically filtered through our virus software.

4) [intransitive] British if traffic filters somewhere, it turns right or left when a separate traffic light gives it the signal to go

Most of the cars filtered off to the right.

5) [intransitive] if people filter somewhere, they gradually go there

filter in/into/out etc:

People began to filter into the theatre.

Phrasal verbs:

- filter out