Definition

1. Noun:

   • A partition or decorative panel: A physical structure, often framed and sometimes decorative, used to divide a space or conceal something.
   • A protective or filtering mesh: A frame covered with wire or plastic netting, used on doors or windows to allow air in while keeping insects out, or a device for separating fine particles from coarse ones.
   • The surface for displaying images: The flat surface on a television, computer, or other electronic device where images and text appear; also, a white surface for projecting films.
   • A means of concealment or shelter: Something that hides or protects, such as a row of trees or darkness.
   • The film industry collectively: Used with 'the' to refer to movies and the people who make them.

2. Verb:

   • To conceal or protect: To hide something or someone from view or danger.
   • To separate or filter: To pass something through a mesh or sieve to remove larger pieces, or to block something (like light) from entering.
   • To evaluate or test: To examine someone or something systematically to assess suitability, often for a job or to detect a problem.
   • To show a film: To project a movie onto a screen for viewing.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • She placed a decorative screen to separate the living and dining areas.
  • Please close the window screen to keep the bugs out.
  • The information appeared on the computer screen.
  • They planted a screen of bushes for privacy.
  • She has worked in both theater and on the screen.

• Verb:

  • Tall hedges screen the house from the road.
  • The company screens all its gravel to ensure consistent size.
  • All candidates are carefully screened before being hired.
  • The cinema will screen the director's latest film next week.

Advanced Usage

• "To screen for (something)": To test or examine to detect the presence of something specific.
  • Doctors routinely screen newborns for certain conditions.
• "To screen out": To remove or exclude through a filtering or selection process.
  • The application process screens out unqualified candidates.

Variants and Related Words

• Screener (n): A person or device that screens or evaluates.
  • The airport security screener checked the luggage.
• Screening (n): The act or process of screening; also, a showing of a film.
  • The health screening was mandatory. / We attended the movie's premiere screening.

Synonyms

• Noun: Partition, divider, mesh, display, shield, concealment.
• Verb: Shield, hide, filter, sift, evaluate, vet, show, project.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Screen off: To separate or hide an area using a screen.
  • They screened off a corner of the room for the examination.
• Screen from: To protect or hide someone/something from something else.
  • Sunglasses screen your eyes from the sun's glare.

Related Idioms

• A smoke screen: Something intended to disguise or conceal one's real intentions or activities.
  • His friendly remarks were just a smoke screen for his hostile plans.
• On-screen: Appearing in or on a film, television show, or computer display.
  • Their chemistry was great on-screen and off-screen.

Noun

1. partition consisting of a decorative frame or panel that serves to divide a space
2. a door that consists of a frame holding metallic or plastic netting; used to allow ventilation and to keep insects from entering a building through the open door
   • he heard the screen slam as she left
3. a strainer for separating lumps from powdered material or grading particles
4. the personnel of the film industry
   • a star of stage and screen
5. a protective covering consisting of netting; can be mounted in a frame
   • they put screens in the windows for protection against insects
   • a metal screen protected the observers
6. a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something
   • a screen of trees afforded privacy
   • under cover of darkness
   • the brush provided a covert for game
   • the simplest concealment is to match perfectly the color of the background
7. the display that is electronically created on the surface of the large end of a cathode-ray tube
8. a protective covering that keeps things out or hinders sight
   • they had just moved in and had not put up blinds yet
9. a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing

Verb

1. protect, hide, or conceal from danger or harm
2. separate with a riddle, as grain from chaff
3. prevent from entering
   • block out the strong sunlight
4. project onto a screen for viewing
   • screen a film
5. examine in order to test suitability
   • screen these samples
   • screen the job applicants
6. examine methodically
   • screen the suitcases
7. test or examine for the presence of disease or infection
   • screen the blood for the HIV virus