winnow meaning and definition

WINNOW noun

Definition of winnow (noun)

1. the act of separating grain from chaff
   • "the winnowing was done by women"
   • synonyms: sifting, winnowing

WINNOW verb

Definition of winnow (verb)

1. separate the chaff from by using air currents
   • "She stood there winnowing chaff all day in the field"
   • synonyms: fan
2. blow on
   • "The wind was winnowing her hair"; "the wind winnowed the grass"
3. select desirable parts from a group or list
   • "cull out the interesting letters from the poet's correspondence"; "winnow the finalists from the long list of applicants"
   • synonyms: cull out
4. blow away or off with a current of air
   • "winnow chaff"