differential

1 of 2

adjective

dif·​fer·​en·​tial ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl How to pronounce differential (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or constituting a difference : distinguishing
differential characteristics
b
: making a distinction between individuals or classes
differential tax rates
c
: based on or resulting from a differential
d
: functioning or proceeding differently or at a different rate
differential melting
2
mathematics : being, relating to, or involving a differential (see differential entry 2 sense 1) or differentiation
3
physics
a
: relating to quantitative differences (as of motion or pressure)
b
: producing effects by reason of quantitative differences
differentially adverb

differential

2 of 2

noun

1
mathematics
a
: the product (see product sense 1) of the derivative of a function of one variable by the increment of the independent variable
b
: a sum of products in which each product consists of a partial derivative of a given function of several variables multiplied by the corresponding increment and which contains as many products as there are independent variables in the function
2
: a difference between comparable individuals or classes
a price differential
also : the amount of such a difference
3
a
: a drivetrain gear assembly connecting two collinear shafts or axles (such as those of the rear wheels of an automobile) and permitting one shaft to revolve faster than the other
a locking rear differential
b
: a case covering such an assembly

Examples of differential in a Sentence

Adjective did away with differential pay scales for men and women doing the same work
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Question whether advanced protections like homomorphic encryption, secure multi-party computation or differential privacy are being used. Moran Zavdi, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 The time state is a more efficient quantum state and takes center stage in this protocol for message transmission by utilizing novel encoding techniques based on differential delay-time bins. IEEE Spectrum, 25 Jan. 2024 The tiebreaker between the teams came down to point differential, so both Green Bay's game and Carolina's against the Saints featured wild finishes. Journal Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2024 The differential performance was largely tied to the varying allocation strategies made by endowments of different size. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 There is an undeniable truth to this: doctors’ biases and prejudices often show up in differential treatment. Krista Stevens, Longreads, 4 Jan. 2024 Others were placed on the forehead, to collect the base electrical signal, from which the differential biomedical amplifier could detect if the frequency increased. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Dec. 2023 Cats were tied for thr most standings points (74), led in goals differential (plus-43) and had won eight of past nine entering Saturday’s game in Tampa, with Sam Reinhart unexpectedly second in the league in goals. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2024 These include differential privacy, where statistical noise is added to the model updates before they are shared with the central model. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2024
Noun
The lineup of Russell-Reaves-Hachimura-James-Davis had played just 16 minutes entering Saturday but had a net rating (point differential per 100 possessions) of plus-37.5 because of elite offensive production. Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 4 Feb. 2024 Still, the '75 team's case is compelling given a 12-2 record and the largest point differential (+211) in franchise history. Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 Jackson could win his second MVP after leading Baltimore to the league’s best record and point differential during the regular season. Noah Trister, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2024 Tampa has allowed just nine points in its past two games and had a plus-eight turnover differential for the regular season. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 21 Jan. 2024 Oil might begin to leak from the truck’s rear differential underneath the vehicle, according to Toyota. Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024 For the past two years, the Silverado ZR2 pickup truck served as Chevrolet’s response to the escalating off-road market segment, offering the unique combination of a V8 engine, Multimatic shock dampers and four-wheel drive with standard front and rear locking differentials. Michael Van Runkle, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 In particular, the EU intends to gauge the difference between the charge for GHG emissions in the producing nation and the EU’s carbon price (which stood at about $100 per ton through most of 2023) and impose a border carbon adjustment based on the differential. Dan Esty, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2024 For the few buyers who plan to take their Wolf off-roading, the G-Wagen’s short wheelbase, solid-axle articulation, and both front and rear cable-locking differentials combine to create a capable rig. Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'differential.' 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

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin differentiālis, from Latin differentia difference entry 1 + -ālis -al entry 1

Noun

noun derivative of differential entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of differential was in 1615

Dictionary Entries Near differential

Cite this Entry

“Differential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/differential. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

differential

1 of 2 adjective
dif·​fer·​en·​tial ˌdif-ə-ˈren-chəl How to pronounce differential (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or being a difference
b
: treating some individuals or classes differently from others : discriminatory
2
: acting or proceeding differently or at a different rate
differential diffusion of molecules through a membrane
differentially adverb

differential

2 of 2 noun
1
: an amount or degree of difference between comparable things
the price differential between a small and large box of popcorn
2
: an arrangement of gears in an automobile that allows one wheel to turn faster than another (as in going around a curve)

Medical Definition

differential

adjective
dif·​fer·​en·​tial ˌdif-ə-ˈren-chəl How to pronounce differential (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or constituting a difference
differential birth rates in different economic levels
2
: making a distinction between individuals or classes
differential cell counts
differential staining
differentially adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on differential

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