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

b

archaic : division

Synonyms

• choiceness
• excellence
• excellency
• first-rateness
• greatness
• perfection
• preeminence
• primeness
• superbness
• superiority
• supremacy

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 twist with Maiz y Agave, which is led by executive chef Christian Moreno, each floor has its own specialty and distinction. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024

Absent is an important distinction: preserving pregnant patients’ health. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 22 Apr. 2024

Fernandez earned that distinction by a wide margin with 31% of the vote. —Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 22 Apr. 2024

And the article attributed an outdated distinction to Joshua Bard field. —New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024

In a 2014 interview with NPR, Oh talked about how the album’s vivid stories and production inspired her to award Illmatic with the rare distinction. —Earl Hopkins, SPIN, 19 Apr. 2024

Meanwhile, another senior Pentagon official, Celeste Wallander, suggested that the key distinction the Biden administration is concerned about is Ukraine hitting military versus civilian targets. —John Hudson, Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2024

This distinction between recognizable and generic performers tracks back to prior SAG-AFTRA agreements. —Dan Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024

Shows which comes with huge ambition, huge distinction and huge scale. —John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see distinct

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing distinction

• with distinction

Kids 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