distinction

noun

dis·​tinc·​tion di-ˈstiŋ(k)-shən How to pronounce distinction (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Disinformation — the purposeful bending of, or negating, the truth — is used to destroy reputations, shatter trust, change political regimes, win at all costs, and muddy our distinctions between what is real and true, and what is blatantly false and biased. Davia Temin, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025 At least one member appeared to struggle to understand the distinction between a vaccine’s efficacy and its effectiveness. Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 3 July 2025 This distinction means that while Nashville's contributions to music are fundamentally indispensable, they can also be easily overlooked, buried within the fine print of album credits. Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 That’s why ongoing work in my lab is exploring whether the same distinction between these logical processes holds true for people. Olga Lazareva, The Conversation, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for distinction

Word History

Etymology

see distinct

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of distinction was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Distinction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distinction. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

distinction

noun
dis·​tinc·​tion dis-ˈtiŋ(k)-shən How to pronounce distinction (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on distinction

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