What is the meaning of sifting?

noun

• The act of separating grain from chaff.
  • usage: "the winnowing was done by women"
  • synonyms: winnow, winnowing

verb

• Move as if through a sieve.
  • usage: "The soldiers sifted through the woods"
  • synonyms: sift
• Separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements.
  • usage: "sift the flour"
  • synonyms: sift, sieve, strain
• Check and sort carefully.
  • usage: "sift the information"
  • synonyms: sieve, sift
• Distinguish and separate out.
  • usage: "sift through the job candidates"
  • synonyms: sieve, sift