screen

1 of 2

noun

1
: a protective or ornamental device (such as a movable partition) shielding an area from heat or drafts or from view
2
: something that shelters, protects, or hides: such as
a
: a growth or stand of trees, shrubs, or plants
b
: a protective formation of troops, ships, or planes
c
: something that covers or disguises the true nature (as of an activity or feeling)
his geniality is just a screen
d(1)
: a maneuver in various sports (such as basketball or ice hockey) whereby an opponent is legally impeded or the opponent's view of the play is momentarily blocked
(2)
3
a
: a perforated plate or cylinder or a meshed wire or cloth fabric usually mounted and used to separate coarser from finer parts
b
: a system for examining and separating into different groups
c
: a piece of apparatus designed to prevent agencies in one part from affecting other parts
an optical screen
d
: a frame holding a usually metallic netting used especially in a window or door to exclude pests (such as insects)
4
a
: a flat surface on which a picture or series of pictures is projected or reflected
b
: the surface on which the image appears in an electronic display (as in a television set, radar receiver, or computer terminal)
also : the information displayed on a computer screen at one time
5
: a glass plate ruled with crossing opaque lines through which an image is photographed in making a halftone
6
: the motion-picture medium or industry

screen

2 of 2

verb

screened; screening; screens

transitive verb

1
: to guard from injury or danger
2
a
: to give shelter or protection to with or as if with a screen
b
: to separate with or as if with a screen
also : to shield (an opponent) from a play or from view of a play
3
a
: to pass (something, such as coal, gravel, or ashes) through a screen to separate the fine part from the coarse
also : to remove by a screen
b(1)
: to examine usually methodically in order to make a separation into different groups
(2)
: to select or eliminate by a screening process
(3)
: to test or examine for the presence of something (such as a disease)
patients were screened for hepatitis
4
: to provide with a screen to keep out pests (such as insects)
5
a(1)
: to present (something, such as a movie) for viewing on a screen
(2)
: to view the presentation of (something, such as a movie)
b
: to present in a movie

intransitive verb

1
: to appear on a movie screen
2
: to provide a screen in a game or sport
screenable adjective
screener noun
Choose the Right Synonym for screen

hide, conceal, screen, secrete, bury mean to withhold or withdraw from sight.

hide may or may not suggest intent.

hide in the closet
a house hidden in the woods

conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge.

concealed the weapon

screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery.

a house screened by trees

secrete suggests a depositing in a place unknown to others.

secreted the amulet inside his shirt

bury implies covering up so as to hide completely.

buried the treasure

Examples of screen in a Sentence

Noun Don't sit too close to the screen or you'll get a headache. A pop-up ad appeared on the screen. When I go to the movies, I like to sit close to the screen. Verb A committee will screen candidates for the job, but the final hiring decision will be made by Ms. Brown. We screen the kids' music so that we can approve what they listen to. We'll be screening his latest film in two weeks.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Honda helpfully put a tiny shelf below the screen to brace your finger on while trying to hit the right icon. Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024 The price of bitcoin reaches over $100,000 for the first time, as seen on a screen at a cryptocurrency exchange store in Hong Kong, Dec. 5, 2024. Jim Cramer, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
The firm reiterated a buy rating on the security screening systems stock in a Wednesday note, and raised its price target to $205 per share from $175. Brian Evans, CNBC, 6 Dec. 2024 By implementing regular vision screening programs and training school nurses in basic vision assessment, eye care leaders can build sustainable relationships with educational institutions. Dr Chibuzor Uwadi, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for screen 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English screne, from Anglo-French escren, from Middle Dutch scherm; akin to Old High German skirm shield; probably akin to Sanskrit carman skin, kṛnāti he injures — more at shear

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1611, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of screen was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near screen

Cite this Entry

“Screen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screen. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

screen

1 of 2 noun
1
: a device used to hide or protect
a window screen
2
: something that serves to shelter, protect, or conceal
a screen of fighter planes
3
: a network of wire set in a frame and used for separating different-sized parts (as of sand)
4
a
: a flat surface on which a picture or series of pictures is projected
b
: the surface on which the image appears in an electronic display (as in a television set or computer terminal)
5
: the motion-picture industry
a star of stage and screen

screen

2 of 2 verb
1
: to guard from injury or danger
2
a
: to shelter, protect, or separate with or as if with a screen
b
: to pass through a screen to separate the parts of different sizes
screen gravel
c
: to remove by or as if by a screen
screens out much harmful radiation
d
: to examine in order to separate into groups or to select or eliminate
carefully screened everyone applying for the job
3
: to provide with a screen
screen a porch
4
: to project on a screen
screen a movie

Medical Definition

screen

1 of 2 transitive verb
: to test or examine for the presence of something (as a disease)
screen patients for prostate cancer
a test to screen donor blood for HIV and hepatitis CPenni Crabtree

More from Merriam-Webster on screen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!