To put dry ingredients through a sieve or other straining device in order to separate the fine from the coarse particles, add air or mix ingredients together
If you sift through something such as evidence, you examine it thoroughly. Police officers have continued to sift through the wreckage following yesterday's bomb attack Brook has sifted the evidence and summarises it clearly
separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements; "sift the flour" move as if through a sieve; "The soldiers sifted through the woods
To pass dry ingredients through a mesh sifter Sifting breaks coarser particles down or keeps them out of the food It also incorporates air, which makes ingredients lighter
If you sift a powder such as flour or sand, you put it through a sieve in order to remove large pieces or lumps. Sift the flour and baking powder into a medium-sized mixing bowl. = sieve