sieve

American  

[siv] / sɪv /

noun

1. an instrument with a meshed or perforated bottom, used for separating coarse from fine parts of loose matter, for straining liquids, etc., especially one with a circular frame and fine meshes or perforations.

2. a person who cannot keep a secret.

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verb (used with or without object)

sieved, sieving

1. to put or force through a sieve; sift.

sieve British  

/ sɪv /

noun

1. a device for separating lumps from powdered material, straining liquids, grading particles, etc, consisting of a container with a mesh or perforated bottom through which the material is shaken or poured

2. rare a person who gossips and spreads secrets

3. a very poor memory

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verb

1. to pass or cause to pass through a sieve

2. to separate or remove (lumps, materials, etc) by use of a sieve

Other Word Forms

• sievelike adjective
• unsieved adjective

Etymology

Origin of sieve

First recorded before 900; Middle English sive, Old English sife; cognate with Dutch zeef, German Sieb; sift

Compare meaning

How does sieve compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• sieve vs. strainer
• colander vs. sieve

Example Sentences

Like most locals, they searched for diamonds by hand - digging pits, hauling out soil and rock, washing it through sieves and carefully sifting through thousands of tiny stones once dried.

From BBC

The average American home is about as airtight and well-insulated as a metal sieve.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mrs. Clarke dug into each bag with a tin flour scoop and a sieve.

From Literature

“This place leaks like a sieve,” he answered.

From Salon

A miracle required when your defence is populated by jittery players and leaks like a sieve.

From BBC

Related Words

• colander