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

Trump officials could have sifted through the comments, rewritten the rule and published it as a final rule. —Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. 2. —Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 18 Dec. 2024

Authorities have been sifting through records and physically digging up pipes to try and get a clear picture of how widespread the problem of lead pipes is. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Martin added, as teams sifted through about 25% of the debris. —Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 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