winnow

[ win-oh ]

/ ˈwɪn oʊ /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: winnow / winnowing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to free (grain) from the lighter particles of chaff, dirt, etc., especially by throwing it into the air and allowing the wind or a forced current of air to blow away impurities.

to drive or blow (chaff, dirt, etc.) away by fanning.

to blow upon; fan.

to subject to some process of separating or distinguishing; analyze critically; sift: to winnow a mass of statements.

to separate or distinguish (valuable from worthless parts) (sometimes followed by out): to winnow falsehood from truth.

to pursue (a course) with flapping wings in flying.

to fan or stir (the air) as with the wings in flying.

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.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use winnow in a sentence

At one point he had 100 counts before winnowing it down to 35.
Repubs Should Take It From Kucinich: Impeachment Isn’t Worth It|Eleanor Clift|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The natural winnowing process will move more quickly than many fear.
What Republicans Need Right Now Is a Good Internal Fight|James Poulos|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Winnowing down countless artifacts to compile A History of New York in 101 Objects was challenging enough.
We All Have a Rosebud in Our Pasts|Sam Roberts|October 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Winnowing it down to the 10 best series was a near-impossible task.
The Best TV Shows of 2013: ‘Orange Is the New Black,’ ‘Breaking Bad’ and More|Kevin Fallon|December 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST

A terrible winnowing began: Sunni Muslims to the right, everyone else to the left.
Death on Killer Mountain|Amanda Padoan|July 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When it has become white and fine, it is placed in a kind of linen winnowing-fan, which is kept damp in a peculiar manner.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
It is the winnowing fan of death that makes for the development of animal life.
Theism or Atheism|Chapman Cohen
A winnowing process—Swartboy's thick lips acting as a fan—was next gone through; and the legs and wings were thus got rid of.
Popular Adventure Tales|Mayne Reid
Jud had hardly said this when there came a loud hoot, and the sound of winnowing wings reached them.
The Banner Boy Scouts Snowbound|George A. Warren
On the second afternoon, such is effect of rigid winnowing, there were but nine men to ride.
The Happy Family|Bertha Muzzy Bower

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

a device for winnowing
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

winnow

Origin of winnow

OTHER WORDS FROM winnow

Words related to winnow

How to use winnow in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for winnow

Derived forms of winnow

Word Origin for winnow