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

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
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.
Noun
Its auto-pause technology is a special feature that prevents overheating by stopping airflow after three seconds of inactivity. Izzy Baskette, People.com, 9 July 2025 That version comes equipped with the Meta AI voice assistant and includes features that, when tethered to a smartphone, lets users identify city landmarks, get recipes when looking at ingredients and record and send voice messages on WhatsApp and Messenger. Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 9 July 2025
Verb
The concert also features work by Johannes Brahms and Carl Maria von Weber. Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 11 July 2025 Funnily enough, the new-to-Amazon film Heads of State starring John Cena and Idris Elba features a big, fat action sequence aboard the presidential jet. Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for feature

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Feature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feature. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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