feature

1 of 2

noun

fea·​ture ˈfē-chər How to pronounce feature (audio)
1
a
: the structure, form, or appearance especially of a person
a man of large feature
b
obsolete : physical beauty
2
a
: the makeup or appearance of the face or its parts
stern of feature even when he smiled
b
: a part of the face : lineament
a person with Asian features
3
a
: a prominent part or characteristic
Pine trees were a feature of the landscape.
b
: any of the properties (such as voice or gender) that are characteristic of a grammatical element (such as a phoneme or morpheme)
especially : one that is distinctive
4
: a special attraction: such as
a
: a featured motion picture
b
: a featured article, story, or department in a newspaper or magazine
An account of the fire was the feature in the Sunday newspaper.
c
: something offered to the public or advertised as particularly attractive
one of the car's most popular features
featureless adjective

feature

2 of 2

verb

featured; featuring ˈfēch-riŋ How to pronounce feature (audio)
ˈfē-chər-iŋ

transitive verb

1
chiefly dialectal : to resemble in features
2
: to picture or portray in the mind : imagine
3
a
: to give special prominence to
the exhibit features local artists
b
: to have as a characteristic or feature
a menu featuring many options

intransitive verb

: to play an important part

Examples of feature in a Sentence

Noun This year's models include several new safety features. This camera has several features that make it easy to use. The car has some interesting new design features. His plan combines the best features of the earlier proposals. Her eyes are her best feature. Tonight's feature is a new romantic comedy. He starred in his first feature film a year ago. Verb The building features a state-of-the-art security system. The new menu features several low-fat entrees. The show now features a new singer. The evening news report featured the story of the murder. The newspaper featured health care on its front page.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
In addition, Saturday was not a day confined to a single salient meteorological feature. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024 Her work has been recognized by the Scripps Howard Awards for excellence in local investigative reporting, the George Polk Award for political reporting and the Webby Awards for feature reporting. Sarah Blaskey, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for feature 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'feature.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English feture, from Anglo-French, from Latin factura act of making, from factus, past participle of facere to make — more at do

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1755, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of feature was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near feature

Cite this Entry

“Feature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feature. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

feature

1 of 2 noun
fea·​ture ˈfē-chər How to pronounce feature (audio)
1
a
: the shape or appearance of the face
b
: a single part of the face (as the nose or the mouth)
2
: a part or detail that stands out
3
a
: the principal motion picture on a program
b
: a special column or section in a newspaper or magazine
featureless adjective

feature

2 of 2 verb
featured; featuring ˈfēch-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce feature (audio)
1
: to play an important part
2
a
: to have as a feature
a menu featuring seafood
b
: to give special prominence to

Medical Definition

feature

noun
fea·​ture ˈfē-chər How to pronounce feature (audio)
1
: the structure, form, or appearance especially of a person
2
a
: the makeup or appearance of the face or its parts
b
: a part of the face

More from Merriam-Webster on feature

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