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Related topics:1 [transitive] to remove unwanted substances from water, air etc by passing it through a special substance or piece of equipment : 
The water in the tank is constantly filtered.The ozone layer filters harmful UV rays from the sun.
The water in the tank is constantly filtered.The ozone layer filters harmful UV rays from the sun.2 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if people filter somewhere, they move gradually to that place : Chattering noisily, the crowd began to filter into the auditorium.
Chattering noisily, the crowd began to filter into the auditorium.3 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if news, information etc filters somewhere, people gradually hear about it from each other : The news gradually filtered through from Bombay last night.
The news gradually filtered through from Bombay last night.4 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]C if light or sound filters into a place, it can be seen or heard only slightly : Moonlight filtered in through the frosted window. The familiar notes of Beethoven's 'Für Elise' filtered from the bar.
Moonlight filtered in through the frosted window.The familiar notes of Beethoven's 'Für Elise' filtered from the bar.5 [intransitive and transitive] British EnglishTTC if traffic filters, or if a system filters it, cars can turn left or right while other vehicles going straight ahead must wait
filter something ↔ out
phrasal verb1 to remove something, using a filter : The pump filters out mud.
The pump filters out mud.2 to remove words, information etc that you do not need or want : Net users can filter out unwanted emails with software.
Net users can filter out unwanted emails with software.