/ skriːn; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
OF TV / COMPUTER
1.
[ C ] the flat surface at the front of a television or computer, on which you see pictures or information :
a computer screen
a monitor with a 21 inch screen
They were staring at the television screen.
Move your cursor to the top of the screen.
the screen display
Can you do a printout of this screen for me (= of all the information on it) ?
—picture at computer
—see also on-screen
FILMS / MOVIES / TV
2.
[ C ] the large flat surface that films / movies or pictures are shown on :
a cinema / movie screen
an eight-screen cinema
The movie will be coming to your screens shortly.
3.
(often the screen ) [ sing. , U ] films / movies or television in general :
He has adapted the play for the screen.
Some actors never watch themselves on screen .
She was a star of stage and screen (= plays and films / movies) .
a screen actor
—see also off-screen , silver screen , small screen
PIECE OF FURNITURE
4.
[ C ] a vertical piece of furniture or equipment that is fixed or that can be moved to divide a room or to keep one area hidden or separate :
The nurse put a screen around the bed.
—see also fire screen
FOR HIDING / PROTECTING STH / SB
5.
[ C ] screen (of sth) something that prevents sb from seeing or being aware of sth, or that protects sb/sth :
We planted a screen of tall trees.
( figurative )
All the research was conducted behind a screen of secrecy.
—see also smokescreen , sunscreen , windscreen
ON WINDOW / DOOR
6.
[ C ] ( especially NAmE ) a wire or plastic net that is held in a frame and fastened on a window, or a door, to let in air but keep out insects :
screen doors
—picture at house
IN CHURCH
7.
[ C ] a wood or stone structure in a church, that partly separates the main area from the altar or choir
■ verb
[ vn ]
HIDE STH / SB
1.
screen sth/sb (from sth/sb) to hide or protect sth/sb by placing sth in front of or around them
SYN shield :
Dark glasses screened his eyes from the sun.
PROTECT SB
2.
screen sb from sb/sth to protect sb from sth dangerous or unpleasant, especially to protect sb who has done sth illegal or dishonest
SYN shield
FOR DISEASE
3.
[ often passive ] screen (sb) (for sth) to examine people in order to find out if they have a particular disease or illness :
Men over 55 should be regularly screened for prostate cancer.
CHECK
4.
( of a company, an organization, etc. ) to find out information about people who work or who want to work for you in order to make sure that they can be trusted :
Government employees may be screened by the security services.
5.
to check sth to see if it is suitable or if you want it :
I use my answerphone to screen my phone calls.
SHOW FILM / MOVIE / PROGRAMME
6.
[ usually passive ] to show a film / movie, etc. in a cinema / movie theater or on television :
a list of films to be screened as part of the festival
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- screen sth off
- screen sb out
- screen sth out
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : shortening of Old Northern French escren , of Germanic origin.