Filter Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
🔍
filter
[ˈfɪltər ]
Definitions
computing
To process or manipulate data according to specified criteria.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| filter |
Use this word when referring to the process of removing unwanted elements from a mixture or allowing only certain elements to pass through. It is commonly used in contexts like email management, photography, and water purification.
|
| screen |
This word is often used when checking or examining something to decide if it meets certain criteria. It's frequently used in medical testing, job recruitment, and security.
|
| sort |
This word is appropriate when arranging items in a particular order or sequence according to specific criteria. It's useful in contexts like data organization, laundry, and categorizing items.
|
| select |
It's best to use select when choosing something from a group based on specific criteria or preference. It is often found in everyday decisions, product choices, and academic selection processes.
|
Examples of usage
- Please filter the results based on the user's input.
- The software allows you to filter the data by date or category.
household
A porous device for removing impurities or solid particles from a liquid or gas passed through it.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| filter |
Used in a general sense to remove impurities or unwanted elements from a substance, commonly used for air, water, or digital content.
|
| strainer |
Used to refer to a kitchen tool that separates solid food from liquids. It is often used in cooking to drain pasta, vegetables, or to sift flour.
|
| purifier |
Specifically used to describe a device or substance that removes contaminants to make air or water pure. It implies making the substance free from all impurities.
|
| cleaner |
Refers to a device or substance used to make something clean, typically removing dirt, dust, or stains. It is often used in the context of cleaning surfaces, floors, or objects.
|
Examples of usage
- The water filter needs to be replaced every six months.
- This air filter is designed to trap dust and allergens.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Science
- In chemistry, filters are crucial for purifying liquids or gases by removing sediments or impurities.
- Water purification systems rely heavily on different types of filters to ensure safe drinking water.
- In biology, filters refer to the mechanisms that organisms use to extract food from water, such as in filter-feeding species.
Technology
- Digital filters help process signals in electronics, improving sound quality in devices like smartphones.
- In computer networks, filters can control the flow of information to protect against malicious content.
- Social media platforms apply filters to posts to curate user experience, ensuring relevant content is shown to users.
Art and Communication
- Photographic filters are used to enhance images, changing colors and contrast, and influencing how we perceive the world.
- In linguistics, a 'filter' can refer to the lens through which we interpret spoken or written language, shaping meaning.
- Artists often use filters conceptually to convey emotions or themes, framing their work in unique ways.
Psychology
- The brain acts as a filter by prioritizing certain sensory inputs, which influences our perception and focus.
- Cognitive filters can affect decision-making, as individuals discard information that contradicts their beliefs.
- Social filters govern how we present ourselves online vs. offline, shaping identities and interactions.
Origin of 'filter'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'filtrum', meaning 'felt' or 'wool', which was used to strain liquids.
- In Middle English, 'filter' referred specifically to a piece of cloth used for these purposes, showing how the word transitioned from a physical object to a process.
- Originally linked to the act of straining, the term has evolved to describe both physical and digital processes for separating information or substances.
The word 'filter' originated from the Old French word 'foulter', meaning 'strainer'. It has been used in English since the late 14th century. The concept of filtering has evolved over time, from physical filters like sieves and strainers to digital filters used in computing and signal processing.
See also: filtering, filters, filtrate, filtration.