Dictionary.com

winnow

[ win-oh ]
/ ˈwɪn oʊ /
See synonyms for: winnow / winnowing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

to free grain from chaff by wind or driven air.
to fly with flapping wings; flutter.

noun

a device or contrivance used for winnowing.
an act of winnowing.

QUIZZES

THIS PSAT VOCABULARY QUIZ IS PERFECT PRACTICE FOR THE REAL TEST

In our third teacher-created PSAT practice test there are new and unique vocabulary terms you may have never heard of! Can you guess what they mean?
Question 1 of 10
seclusion
a false belief or opinion.
the matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid.
the state of being isolated, kept apart, or withdrawn into solitude.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of winnow

before 900; Middle English win(d)wen (v.), Old English windwian, derivative of windwind1

OTHER WORDS FROM winnow

win·now·er, nounun·win·nowed, adjective

Words nearby winnow

Winnipeg couch, Winnipegger, Winnipegosis, Winnipesaukee, winnock, winnow, Winny, wino, Winona, win one's spurs, win on points
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to winnow

stir, fan, scatter, puff

Example sentences from the Web for winnow

British Dictionary definitions for winnow

winnow
/ (ˈwɪnəʊ) /

verb

to separate (grain) from (chaff) by means of a wind or current of air
(tr) to examine in order to select the desirable elements
(tr) archaic to beat (the air) with wings
(tr) rare to blow upon; fan

noun

  1. a device for winnowing
  2. the act or process of winnowing

Derived forms of winnow

winnower, noun

Word Origin for winnow

Old English windwian; related to Old High German wintōn, Gothic diswinthjan, Latin ventilāre. See wind 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012