screening

American  

[skree-ning] / ˈskri nɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or work of a person who screens, as in ascertaining the character and competence of applicants, employees, etc.

2. the showing of a motion picture.

   There will be screenings at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

3. (used with a singular or plural verb) screenings,

   1. undesirable material that has been separated from usable material by means of a screen or sieve.

      screenings of imperfect grain.

   2. extremely fine coal.

4. the meshed material used in screens for windows and doors.

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Other Word Forms

• prescreening noun

Etymology

Origin of screening

First recorded in 1715–25; screen + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Long before likes and shares, there wasn’t a door policy exactly, but you could be subject to an unspoken, discreet screening at the host table.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Bertei explains that she went to a screening of his early film “Permanent Vacation,” and was struck by the differences between the male lead and one of the female characters.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

Few countries, he said, systematically track which species are being traded across their borders, and even fewer conduct routine pathogen screening in those animals.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

The new research looked at standard screening tools like the 30-point Mini-Mental State Examination, or MMSE.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

He moved ever so slightly to the right, screening Aunt Petunia from view, as though he thought Mr. Weasley might suddenly run at them and attack.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

Related Words

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