Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
By June 1997, the researchers had winnowed the candidates to 10 genes near one tip of chromosome 16.
From Science Magazine ● Sep. 22, 2021
Cantlay’s final birdie allowed him to finish strong after a wobbly four-hole stretch that had winnowed his four-shot lead down to one.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 4, 2021
The New York Fed began its search for a new president last fall and by mid-March had winnowed its pool down to three finalists, according to people familiar with the matter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 24, 2018
He made the final decisions on which 50 objects were chosen, and which were not, after members of the museum’s staff had winnowed the possibilities to 75.
From New York Times ● Jul. 22, 2013
Some pupils had brought merely empty tassels, some bare stalks, and some seeds which they had winnowed from 133 the grain in their father’s bins; and with them they played forfeits.
From The Brown Mouse by Herbert Quick
