plural
screens
plural
screens
Britannica Dictionary definition of SCREEN
1
[count]
a
:
the usually flat part of a television or computer monitor that shows the images or text
:
the part of a television or computer that you look at when you are using it
-
Don't sit too close to the screen or you'll get a headache.
-
A pop-up ad appeared on the screen.
-
a television/TV screen
-
a computer/display screen
—
see picture at computer
b
:
a large, flat, white surface on which images or movies are shown
2
[noncount]
:
the art or profession of acting in movies
—
often used before another noun
—
see also big screen, silver screen
3
[count]
chiefly US
:
a sheet that is made of very small wire or plastic strings which are woven together and that is set in a frame in a window, door, etc., to let air in but keep insects out
4
[count]
:
something that is used to hide, protect, cover, or block a person or thing: such as
a
:
a group of trees or plants that separates one area from another
b
:
a large, thin piece of wood, paper, or cloth that is set in a frame and used to separate one room or part of a room from another
c
:
something that hides the real nature of an activity, feeling, etc.
d
sports
:
a planned action in some sports (such as basketball or ice hockey) in which a player or a player's view is legally blocked by an opponent
—
see also smoke screen, sunscreen, windscreen
2
screen
/ˈskriːn/
verb
screens;
screened;
screening
screens;
screened;
screening
Britannica Dictionary definition of SCREEN
[+ object]
1
:
to examine (people or things) in order to decide if they are suitable for a particular purpose
-
A committee will screen candidates for the job, but the final hiring decision will be made by Ms. Brown.
-
someone who screens luggage at the airport [=someone who examines the luggage of airplane passengers in order to make sure that nothing dangerous is brought onto an airplane]
-
We screen the kids' music so that we can approve what they listen to.
-
He usually screens his (telephone/phone) calls. [=he usually lets his answering machine answer his phone so that he can hear who is calling before he decides to talk to whoever it is]
2
a
:
to do a test on (someone) to find out if that person has or is likely to develop a disease
—
usually + for
b
:
to do a test on (a person's blood, urine, etc.) to find out if the person has been using an illegal substance
—
usually + for
3
:
to show (a movie, television show, etc.) to the public on a screen
4
:
to hide, protect, cover, or block (someone or something) with a screen
-
I was screened by the cars so no one saw me.
-
The altar was screened.
-
We planted a row of shrubs to screen our backyard from the neighbors.
-
The goalie was screened on that play. [=players blocked the goalie from seeing the puck]
-
a screened porch [=a porch that has walls made of screens]
—
often used figuratively
screen out
[phrasal verb]
1
screen (someone or something) out
or
screen out (someone or something)
:
to remove (someone or something that is not suitable for a particular purpose) from a group that is being examined
2
screen (something) out
or
screen out (something)
:
to prevent (something harmful) from passing through