1
: a protective or ornamental device (such as a movable partition) shielding an area from heat or drafts or from view
2
: something that shelters, protects, or hides: such as
a
: a growth or stand of trees, shrubs, or plants
b
: a protective formation of troops, ships, or planes
c
: something that covers or disguises the true nature (as of an activity or feeling)
his geniality is just a screen
d(1)
: a maneuver in various sports (such as basketball or ice hockey) whereby an opponent is legally impeded or the opponent's view of the play is momentarily blocked
(2)
3
a
: a perforated plate or cylinder or a meshed wire or cloth fabric usually mounted and used to separate coarser from finer parts
b
: a system for examining and separating into different groups
c
: a piece of apparatus designed to prevent agencies in one part from affecting other parts
an optical screen
d
: a frame holding a usually metallic netting used especially in a window or door to exclude pests (such as insects)
4
a
: a flat surface on which a picture or series of pictures is projected or reflected
b
: the surface on which the image appears in an electronic display (as in a television set, radar receiver, or computer terminal)
also
: the information displayed on a computer screen at one time
5
: a glass plate ruled with crossing opaque lines through which an image is photographed in making a halftone
6
: the motion-picture medium or industry
screened; screening; screens
1
: to guard from injury or danger
2
a
: to give shelter or protection to with or as if with a screen
b
: to separate with or as if with a screen
also
: to shield (an opponent) from a play or from view of a play
3
a
: to pass (something, such as coal, gravel, or ashes) through a screen to separate the fine part from the coarse
also
: to remove by a screen
b(1)
: to examine usually methodically in order to make a separation into different groups
(2)
: to select or eliminate by a screening process
(3)
: to test or examine for the presence of something (such as a disease)
patients were screened for hepatitis
4
: to provide with a screen to keep out pests (such as insects)
5
a(1)
: to present (something, such as a motion picture) for viewing on a screen
(2)
: to view the presentation of (something, such as a motion picture)
b
: to present in a motion picture
1
: to appear on a motion-picture screen
2
: to provide a screen in a game or sport
screener
noun
Synonyms
Examples of screen in a Sentence
Noun
Don't sit too close to the screen or you'll get a headache.
A pop-up ad appeared on the screen.
When I go to the movies, I like to sit close to the screen.
Verb
A committee will screen candidates for the job, but the final hiring decision will be made by Ms. Brown.
We screen the kids' music so that we can approve what they listen to.
We'll be screening his latest film in two weeks.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
Being accused of a double murder did not jibe with the smiling face on screen.
—David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
But in an age where extremists are ready and primed to decode and interpret any piece of media for their own ends, what Garland has really done is create a film in which these groups can see themselves on screen as the good guys.
—David Gilbert, WIRED, 12 Apr. 2024
Sánchez’s drums will be set up to the immediate right of the screen on which the film is shown.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
Each parrot popped virtual balloons by using its tongue and beak, with eyes often very close to the screen.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
Actress Jurnee Smollett-Bell has always been radiant on screen but this moment on the red carpet in her black and white color block minidress with white sandals in 2016 brought a smile to our faces.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 11 Apr. 2024
The video then cuts to Stamos and his son, who ran on screen and tumbled with his dad in the grass.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Thin bezel wraps around the top and sides of the screen but thickens up a bit below the display.
—PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
Navigation programs can also help to hold people accountable and ensure they get screened according to national guidelines.
—Robin Cole, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
Will boats be screened on the Milwaukee River through downtown?
—Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024
At local clinics, rapid diagnostic tests could screen walking blood bank donations for HIV and other transmissible diseases with 98-99% accuracy.
—Simar Bajaj, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
Currently on Tour in Australia, the film will screen at festivals and special events through the spring and summer.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
The studio screened the preview during a presentation celebrating its upcoming slate of movies at CinemaCon in Las Vegas and released the footage online shortly thereafter.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Container ships would screen their cargo in Cyprus before taking it to the floating dock and unloading it.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2024
These commissions have no politicians and the members are screened for biases, or balanced by party.
—TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
Noun
How does an actor authentically and respectfully embody a legendary real-life singer on screen without it being seen as tribute act?
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
Being accused of a double murder did not jibe with the smiling face on screen.
—David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
But in an age where extremists are ready and primed to decode and interpret any piece of media for their own ends, what Garland has really done is create a film in which these groups can see themselves on screen as the good guys.
—David Gilbert, WIRED, 12 Apr. 2024
Sánchez’s drums will be set up to the immediate right of the screen on which the film is shown.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
Each parrot popped virtual balloons by using its tongue and beak, with eyes often very close to the screen.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
Actress Jurnee Smollett-Bell has always been radiant on screen but this moment on the red carpet in her black and white color block minidress with white sandals in 2016 brought a smile to our faces.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 11 Apr. 2024
The video then cuts to Stamos and his son, who ran on screen and tumbled with his dad in the grass.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Thin bezel wraps around the top and sides of the screen but thickens up a bit below the display.
—PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
Verb
Parachute special screening Brittany Snow screened her directorial debut, alongside cast members Courtney Eaton and Thomas Mann, in New York on Saturday.
—Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
Navigation programs can also help to hold people accountable and ensure they get screened according to national guidelines.
—Robin Cole, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
Will boats be screened on the Milwaukee River through downtown?
—Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024
At local clinics, rapid diagnostic tests could screen walking blood bank donations for HIV and other transmissible diseases with 98-99% accuracy.
—Simar Bajaj, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
Currently on Tour in Australia, the film will screen at festivals and special events through the spring and summer.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
The studio screened the preview during a presentation celebrating its upcoming slate of movies at CinemaCon in Las Vegas and released the footage online shortly thereafter.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Container ships would screen their cargo in Cyprus before taking it to the floating dock and unloading it.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2024
These commissions have no politicians and the members are screened for biases, or balanced by party.
—TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'screen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English screne, from Anglo-French escren, from Middle Dutch scherm; akin to Old High German skirm shield; probably akin to Sanskrit carman skin, kṛnāti he injures — more at shear
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1611, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of screen was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing screen
Dictionary Entries Near screen
Cite this Entry
“Screen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screen. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
screen
1 of 2 noun1
: a device used to hide or protect
a window screen
2
: something that serves to shelter, protect, or conceal
a screen of fighter planes
3
: a network of wire set in a frame and used for separating different-sized parts (as of sand)
4
a
: a flat surface on which a picture or series of pictures is projected
b
: the surface on which the image appears in an electronic display (as in a television set or computer terminal)
5
: the motion-picture industry
a star of stage and screen
screen
2 of 2 verb1
: to guard from injury or danger
2
a
: to shelter, protect, or separate with or as if with a screen
b
: to pass through a screen to separate the parts of different sizes
screen gravel
c
: to remove by or as if by a screen
screens out much harmful radiation
d
: to examine in order to separate into groups or to select or eliminate
carefully screened everyone applying for the job
3
: to provide with a screen
screen a porch
4
: to project on a screen
screen a movie
Medical Definition
screen
1 of 2 transitive verb
: to test or examine for the presence of something (as a disease)
screen patients for prostate cancer
a test to screen donor blood for HIV and hepatitis C—Penni Crabtree
Penni Crabtreescreen
2 of 2
More from Merriam-Webster on screen
Nglish: Translation of screen for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of screen for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about screen
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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