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

Christopher Burston, a 73-year-old patient from Portland, Dorset, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in February 2023 after routine screening detected blood in his stool.

From Science Daily • May 6, 2026

The same AI pattern-recognition that’s learning to spot breast tumors is being applied to thyroid screening, lung nodule detection and colonoscopies.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

"Disembarkation and medical screening of all passengers require coordination with local health authorities and we are in close consultation with them," said the operator.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

Along with its broad vaccination programme - which in 2013 was expanded to include boys, who can be carriers of the virus - it also has a high-grade screening scheme.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Then you get a medical screening: “Are you on medication?”

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater

Related Words

• chain
• grid
• net
• organization
• structure
• system
• web