differential

adjective dif·fer·en·tial \ ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Examples: differential in a Sentence

Definition of differential

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 ²differential 1) or differentiation

3 physics

a : relating to quantitative differences (as of motion or pressure)

b : producing effects by reason of quantitative differences

—

differentially

play \-ˈren(t)-shə-lē\ adverb

See differential defined for English-language learners

See differential defined for kids

Examples of differential in a Sentence

did away with differential pay scales for men and women doing the same work

Recent Examples of differential from the Web

That's very differential than the attacks on Melania Trump reading a book to kids, English is her fifth language.

— Fox News, "Gorka: Instead of learning from 2016, the press doubled down," 6 Apr. 2018
With regard to the testing for discrimination against persons with disabilities, three of the 20 tests, or 15 percent, showed differential treatment against the person and his or her need of a reasonable accommodation.

— dwight adams, Indianapolis Star, "'Significant' housing discrimination found in Marion County, study says," 5 Apr. 2018
Suddenly, both Dre and Bow are confronted with their own double standards about the differential treatment of their son and daughter.

— refinery29.com, "Black-ish Went To The Sunken Place Last Night For A Different Reason," 14 Mar. 2018
Consumers intuitively understand differential pricing.

— john rennie short, Smithsonian, "Should U.S. Cities Use Congestion Pricing To Ease Traffic?," 8 Feb. 2018
The priorities most frequently mentioned were higher pay for officers to help the city solve a recruiting and retention crisis, and a commitment to addressing differential treatment of minorities by police identified in a San Diego State survey.

— david garrick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diegans want new police chief to focus on pay, racial profiling, transparency," 14 Oct. 2017
In reality, trade deficits with other countries reflect a mix of relative growth rates, differential production advantages, supply chains, savings and investment, and currency exchange rates.

— robert b. zoellick, WSJ, "Trump’s Looming Trade Crack-Up," 5 Sep. 2017
Wired recently deployed a team of experts to deconstruct Apple's code and found its differential privacy practices to be lacking, a characterization that the company strongly disputes.

— john patrick pullen, Time, "Forget the iPhone X, Apple's Best Product Is Something You Can't Buy," 27 Oct. 2017
These lock the hub and wheel to the front differential output shafts.

— ben murphy, Popular Mechanics, "When Do I Engage 4WD?," 23 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'differential.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of differential

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1615

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

differential Synonyms

differential

noun

Definition of differential

1 mathematics

a : the product (see product 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

See differential defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of differential from the Web

Goals scored and goal differential, on the other hand, figure heavily in tie-breakers.

— phil rosenthal, chicagotribune.com, "Russia's rout in Fox World Cup opener: 'This is probably exactly what Mr. Putin needed'," 14 June 2018
On top of the standard 4Runner equipment, the TRD Pro gets items such as a locking differential, Bilstein shock absorbers with rear remote reservoirs and a front skid plate.

— travis langness, edmunds, USA TODAY, "Edmunds: 7 off-roaders that can be driven right off the lot," 11 June 2018
But 51 wins, a plus-44 goal differential, a roaring run through the playoffs?

— chris korman, For The Win, "We'll always remember the inexplicable and incomparable Golden Knights," 8 June 2018
Verlander’s 28 percentage point differential puts him just above the names that have typically occupied the top of that list in recent years, Max Scherzer and Chris Sale.

— emma baccellieri, SI.com, "The Unprecedented Brilliance of Justin Verlander," 5 June 2018
Before, there was a differential from place to place, and the effects of various energy sources weren’t international.

— justin worland, Time, "Historian Richard Rhodes on Nuclear Energy and Climate Change," 4 June 2018
The Nittany Lions beat out Arkansas State and Central Washington based on the highest point differential.

— corey sharp, Philly.com, "Penn State men advance on tiebreaker; St. Joe's plays for fallen teammate," 2 June 2018
Photo: Getty Images The S&P Global Platts Midwest Premium is assessed using a transparent methodology and is a regional differential to the global price of aluminum, which is traded on the London Metal Exchange.

— WSJ, "Aluminum Market Functions Transparently," 24 May 2018
Dickinson's also 11-2 in district, after splitting with Clear Lake, but the Falcons hold the point-differential tiebreaker.

— jason mcdaniel, Houston Chronicle, "High school Athletes of the Week: Feb. 12," 12 Feb. 2018

Origin and Etymology of differential

noun derivative of ¹differential

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1871

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

centrifuge, flange, lathe, linchpin, pinion, plenum, ratchet, traction

DIFFERENTIAL Defined for English Language Learners

differential

adjective

Definition of differential for English Language Learners

: relating to or based on a difference : treating some people or groups differently from others

differential

noun

Definition of differential for English Language Learners

: a difference between people or things
: a gear or an arrangement of gears in a vehicle that allows one wheel to turn faster than another when the vehicle is going around a curve