What does screening mean?
Screening is the process of examining, filtering, or assessing people, things, or information according to a particular purpose. It is widely used for recruitment, medical testing, security checks, and other procedures in which candidates or records are reviewed against defined criteria. In a cinema or similar venue, a screening is a showing of a film, and a private screening may be arranged for a select audience. As an adjective, screening can describe a film, event, or space intended to protect privacy or conceal identities. The word often suggests an organized and systematic evaluation rather than a casual look. It can also refer to using a screen or barrier to hide something from view. Together, these meanings reflect the central idea of placing something before a barrier or examination so that only what meets specified conditions is allowed through.
An examination or filtering process used to select people or items, check security, assess health, or evaluate information.
"All applicants must pass a background screening before beginning work."
Common in professional, institutional, and medical contexts; it often implies formal criteria and systematic review.
A showing of a film, especially one arranged for a particular audience or group.
"The festival begins with a screening of the award-winning documentary."
Also used in the expression private screening for a non-public or invitation-only showing.
To examine, filter, or assess people, things, or information according to specified criteria.
"Volunteers screened applicants for relevant experience."
The object being screened may be people, records, luggage, applications, or other material.
To conceal or protect the identity or view of someone or something with a screen or other barrier.
"A tall partition screened the area from view."
Less common than the selection or examination senses, but standard in formal and descriptive writing.
Used for separate examination or filtering processes and for individual film showings.
"The clinic offers health screenings throughout the week."
From the protective screens used in medieval windows and the screening of particles, the word now ranges from security checks to cinema privacy and medical tests.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does screening come from?
The word derives from screen, which originally referred to a movable partition, curtain, or protective covering used to conceal or protect people or objects. The verb meaning “to conceal behind a screen” developed before the modern senses involving examination and filtering. By the early 20th century, screening was also used for the process of selecting candidates or examining material, and later for the showing of films. The word is related to other forms such as screener and screened, which preserve the same basic sense of filtering or covering.
Related word forms
How screening is actually used
The noun is common in formal and professional contexts, especially in employment, health, security, and selection. As an adjective, it is especially associated with films and private events. In medicine, screening can mean testing people who do not yet show symptoms in order to detect disease early.
Easily confused with screening
Screening generally implies examining and filtering people or things according to criteria, whereas scanning is more specifically a rapid or systematic pass over an area, object, or text.