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
Edmund Wilson
b
archaic
: division
Synonyms
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
The Rwandan government, led by President Paul Kagame, has outlawed speech that draws distinctions between ethnic groups.
—Courtney Dorning, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
But the changes don’t apply to aftermarket parts, a distinction that frustrates right-to-repair advocates.
—Amanda Hoover, WIRED, 11 Apr. 2024
Some, like the White Doe Inn, are graced with the National Register of Historic Places distinction.
—Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024
Israeli officials drew a distinction between the airstrike that killed Haniyeh’s sons and the ongoing negotiations aiming to secure a ceasefire and hostage deal.
—Jeremy Diamond, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The ceremony, where 32 distinctions were awarded, took place in Cádiz, a port city in the Andalucia region of southwestern Spain, with King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia in attendance.
—Griselda Flores, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2024
Elsewhere, Callahan’s synesthetic language troubles the distinctions between senses.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2024
Below, members of Forbes Agency Council share their insights to help bring some of the biggest distinctions in B2G marketing to light.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The dispute was sparked by an anniversary re-release of Linkin Park’s smash hit 2000 debut album Hybrid Theory, which holds the distinction as the best-selling rock album of the 21st century.
—Bill Donahue, Billboard, 1 Apr. 2024
Courtney Dorning, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
But the changes don’t apply to aftermarket parts, a distinction that frustrates right-to-repair advocates.
—Amanda Hoover, WIRED, 11 Apr. 2024
Some, like the White Doe Inn, are graced with the National Register of Historic Places distinction.
—Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024
Israeli officials drew a distinction between the airstrike that killed Haniyeh’s sons and the ongoing negotiations aiming to secure a ceasefire and hostage deal.
—Jeremy Diamond, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The ceremony, where 32 distinctions were awarded, took place in Cádiz, a port city in the Andalucia region of southwestern Spain, with King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia in attendance.
—Griselda Flores, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2024
Elsewhere, Callahan’s synesthetic language troubles the distinctions between senses.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2024
Below, members of Forbes Agency Council share their insights to help bring some of the biggest distinctions in B2G marketing to light.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The dispute was sparked by an anniversary re-release of Linkin Park’s smash hit 2000 debut album Hybrid Theory, which holds the distinction as the best-selling rock album of the 21st century.
—Bill Donahue, Billboard, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'distinction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near distinction
Cite this Entry
“Distinction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distinction. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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