distinction

noun

dis·​tinc·​tion di-ˈstiŋ(k)-shən 

1

: the act of perceiving someone or something as being not the same and often treating as separate or different : the distinguishing of a difference

without distinction as to race, sex, or religion

also : the difference distinguished

the distinction between imply and infer

2

: something that distinguishes

regional distinctions

3

: the quality or state of being distinguishable

no distinction of facial features in the twins

4

a

: the quality or state of being excellent or superior : the quality or state of being distinguished or worthy

a politician of some distinction

b

: special honor or recognition

took a law degree with distinction

won many distinctions

c

: an accomplishment that sets one apart

holds the distinction of being the only American to win the prize

5

a

: class sense 4

Mr. Hemingway's … prose is of the first distinction.

—Edmund Wilson

b

archaic : division

Synonyms

• choiceness
• excellence
• excellency
• first-rateness
• greatness
• perfection
• preeminence
• primeness
• superbness
• superiority
• supremacy

Examples of distinction in a Sentence

There are no obvious distinctions between the two designs.

She made a distinction between the words “less” and “fewer.”

He was raised in a small town of no great distinction.

Her talents gave distinction to the work.

Recent Examples on the Web

This approach to perception has the benefit of breaking down the distinction between self and world: a chair in all of its chairness doesn’t exist without a perceiver to see it as something to sit in; a chair is the affordance of a place to sit. —Max Norman, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024

Unfortunately, some colleges and universities fail to acknowledge the distinction between college students who are competitive student-athletes from college students who are performing student-athletes. —Eric Wood, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

The clause offers a distinction between those in security from the rest of staff, potentially preventing the creation of what’s called a wall-to-wall union, one that represents the entire staff—effectively blocking the union’s affiliation with a larger national union. —Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 6 Dec. 2024

By acknowledging the distinctions between men and women, golf leadership is uniting with us in their desire to champion women and girls by restoring a space that prioritizes fair competition. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see distinct

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5b

Phrases Containing distinction

• with distinction

Kids Definition

distinction

noun

dis·​tinc·​tion dis-ˈtiŋ(k)-shən 

1

a

: the seeing or pointing out of a difference

b

: difference sense 1

the distinction between good and evil

2

: something that makes a person or thing special or different

the distinction of being the oldest house in the city

3

a

: particular excellence

served with distinction

b

: special honor or recognition