screen

Definition

  • noun: the usually flat part of a television or computer monitor that shows the images or text
  • noun: a protective or ornamental device (as a movable partition) shielding an area from heat or drafts or from view
  • verb: to examine (people or things) in order to decide if they are suitable for a particular purpose
  • verb: to guard from injury or danger
  • often used before another noun

Examples

  • 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]

  • 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]

  • A committee will 'screen' candidates for the job, but the final hiring decision will be made by Ms. Brown.

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) Bang. First shot. Katniss, tell us what happened here. We were all standin' right here watchin' the Games when you fired that arrow. The screens just went dark. Nobody had any idea what happened. Peacekeepers forced us back into our homes. For maybe an hour, the town was just dead quiet. (..)
    2014 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1