Sieving is a process used to separate particles of different sizes by passing a mixture through a mesh or perforated material. This technique is commonly employed in cooking, such as when sifting flour to remove lumps or to combine dry ingredients evenly. It is also used in construction and laboratory settings to classify materials like sand or soil. The equipment used for sieving is called a sieve or screen, which can vary in size and mesh type depending on the desired outcome. Sieving helps ensure uniformity in mixtures and can improve the quality of the final product by removing unwanted larger particles.