Winnowed

To 'winnow' means to remove unwanted elements or individuals from a larger group, often by examining or testing. It implies a process of sifting, separating, and refining, typically with the goal of improving quality or selecting the best. The term originated from agriculture, referring to the act of blowing air through harvested grain to remove the chaff. In a broader sense, winnowing involves a critical evaluation to discard what is less desirable, leaving behind what is valuable or preferred. This process can be applied to ideas, choices, populations, and more.

Winnowed meaning with examples

• The admissions committee carefully winnowed the hundreds of applications, selecting only the most promising candidates for interviews. This rigorous process was intended to ensure only those most likely to succeed were considered. They sifted through resumes, essays, and recommendations to identify individuals with exceptional academic records and compelling personal qualities. Their aim was to assemble the strongest class.
• After the initial public offering, the market winnowed the speculative companies, leaving behind only the financially sound and sustainable businesses. Investor's cautious approach filtered out weak companies. Economic realities and the need for proven revenue streams, and viable business plans, left many new companies unable to cope. Eventually the stronger ones emerged.
• The historian winnowed through thousands of letters and documents to find the most relevant information for her biography of the influential political figure. A time-consuming process, but she discarded irrelevancies and focused on key facts. Researching primary sources was crucial. She found the hidden elements within the documents through an organised and considered examination.
• Faced with a surplus of potential employees, the company winnowed the applicant pool through a series of interviews and assessments, reducing the number of candidates to a manageable size. The best way to decide was through detailed examination and assessment. The selection process was rigorous. Ultimately the top people were chosen, using assessments and interviews.