WordWeb Online

1. The act of separating grain from chaff
   "the winnowing was done by women";
   - winnow, sifting

1. Separate the chaff from grain by using air currents
   "She stood there winnowing grain all day in the field"
    
2. Blow on
   "The wind was winnowing her hair"; "the wind winnowed the grass"
    
3. Select desirable parts from a group or list
   "winnow the finalists from the long list of applicants";
   - cull out
    
4. Blow away or off with a current of air
   "winnow chaff";
   - fan

Derived forms: winnowings

See also: pluck

Type of: choose, fan, pick out, remove, select, separation, sieve, sift, strain, take, take away, withdraw

Encyclopedia: Winnowing