1 [count] a : the usually flat part of a television or computer monitor that shows the images or text : the part of a television or computer that you look at when you are using it
▪ Don't sit too close to the screen or you'll get a headache. ▪ A pop-up ad appeared on the screen. ▪ a television/TV screen ▪ a computer/display screen — see picture at computer
b : a large, flat, white surface on which images or movies are shown
▪ When I go to the movies, I like to sit close to the screen. 2 [noncount] : the art or profession of acting in movies
▪ a star of stage and screen [=a famous actor who acts in plays and movies] ▪ The two actors perform well together on screen. [=in movies or on TV] — often used before another noun ▪ a screen actor ▪ She has tremendous screen presence. [=a powerful quality that attracts attention in movies] — see also big screen, silver screen 3 [count] chiefly US : a sheet that is made of very small wire or plastic strings which are woven together and that is set in a frame in a window, door, etc., to let air in but keep insects out
▪ a window screen ▪ a screen door [=a door that has a screen built into it] 4 [count] : something that is used to hide, protect, cover, or block a person or thing: such as a : a group of trees or plants that separates one area from another
▪ We planted a screen of shrubs so the neighbors couldn't see into our yard.
b : a large, thin piece of wood, paper, or cloth that is set in a frame and used to separate one room or part of a room from another
▪ You can change your clothes behind the screen.
c : something that hides the real nature of an activity, feeling, etc.
▪ His activities were just a screen for his real plans.
d sports : a planned action in some sports (such as basketball or ice hockey) in which a player or a player's view is legally blocked by an opponent
▪ The goalie couldn't see the puck because of the screen. — see also smoke screen, sunscreen, windscreen 5 [count] American football : screen pass
▪ The quarterback threw a screen to the halfback.