differentiation

noun

dif·​fer·​en·​ti·​a·​tion ˌdi-fə-ˌren(t)-shē-ˈā-shən 

1

: the act or process of differentiating

2

: development from the one to the many, the simple to the complex, or the homogeneous to the heterogeneous

differentiation of Latin into vernaculars

3

biology

a

: modification of body parts for performance of particular functions

b

: the sum of the processes whereby apparently indifferent (see indifferent sense 7) or unspecialized cells, tissues, and structures attain their adult form and function

4

geology : the processes by which various rock types are produced from a common magma

Examples of differentiation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Consumer electronics firms such as Apple, along with other technology firms such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Xiaomi, increasingly design their own processor chips, because these chips shape the user experience, AI performance, power efficiency and system-level differentiation. —Vidya Mani, The Conversation, 1 May 2026

The debate revealed no dramatic shifts in the race, with most candidates failing to break through or establish clear differentiation, suggesting the governor’s race will likely remain competitive heading into the June 2 primary. —Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026

Yet the debate showed a clear differentiation between the parties. —John Seiler, Oc Register, 29 Apr. 2026

Skate to the Puck The Steam Deck’s other major point of differentiation from other controllers is what Valve is calling the Puck. —ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin differentiātiōn-, differentiātiō, from Medieval Latin differentiāre "to distinguish, differentiate" + Latin -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing differentiation

• implicit differentiation
• partial differentiation
• self-differentiation

Rhymes for differentiation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

differentiation

noun

dif·​fer·​en·​ti·​a·​tion ˌdif-ə-ˌren-chē-ˈā-shən 

1

: the act or process of differentiating

2

: the processes by which cells and tissues develop their specialized adult form and function

also : the result of these processes

Medical Definition

differentiation

noun

dif·​fer·​en·​ti·​a·​tion -ˌren-chē-ˈā-shən 

1

a

: the act of describing a thing by giving its differentia

b

: the enhancement of microscopically visible differences between tissue or cell parts by partial selective decolorization or removal of excess stain (as in regressive staining)

c

: the development of a discriminating conditioned response with a positive response to one stimulus and absence of the response on the application of similar but discriminably different stimuli

2

a

: modification of different parts of the body for performance of particular functions

also : specialization of parts or organs in the course of evolution

b

: the sum of the developmental processes whereby apparently unspecialized cells, tissues, and structures attain their adult form and function compare determination sense 2