dif·fer·en·tial
ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl 
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
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
Synonyms
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
Paul Richards, Field & Stream, 15 Nov. 2023
But the key difference with a standard camera is that an event camera works in differential mode.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Oct. 2023
There is an undeniable truth to this: doctors’ biases and prejudices often show up in differential treatment.
—Hazlitt, 27 Sep. 2023
And the potential winning payout is lucrative: $10,000 to the individual who can outlast the competition and post the highest point differential.
—Richard Morin, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023
The Dutch came into the match with a two-goal disadvantage to the United States in both differential and goals scored.
—John Powers, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2023
The special edition adds front bumper canards, a limited-slip differential, and rear performance dampers to help with performance.
—Jack Fitzgerald, Car and Driver, 15 Aug. 2023
For off-road and camping enthusiasts, the cars will come standard with a 6,000-pound tow hitch, double-wishbone front suspension, center locking differential, automatic slip differential and an electronic locking rear differential.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas News, 2 Aug. 2023
The Census Bureau has said the differential privacy algorithms are needed because, without them, the growth of easily available third-party data combined with modern computing could allow hackers to piece together the identities of participants in its censuses and surveys in violation of the law.
—Mike Schneider and Morgan Lee, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023
Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 Nov. 2023
This 2023 club had close to the most effective pitching in baseball, a certain Cy Young winner, the best closer (who thankfully will be leaving), very good defense, and one of the top run differentials.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2023
Goal differential doesn’t matter either so LAFC’s 5-2 win over Vancouver on Saturday on two goals each from Denis Bouanga and Ryan Hollingshead counts the same as a 1-0 win on an own goal.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2023
New parts include Nitron dampers, six-link rear suspension, adjustable anti-roll bars, six-piston front brakes, and a limited-slip differential.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2023
Injuries or strength differentials on either sides of the body can cause the hips to become unbalanced, altering the movement pattern in the hips.
—Cori Ritchey, Men's Health, 7 Sep. 2023
Furthermore, Lamborghini says the electric motor mounted on the rear axle can act like a simulated limited-slip differential to aid handling while cornering.
—Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 18 Aug. 2023
Miami is 33-11 in one-run games, which explains their glowing record despite an astounding -57 run differential.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2023
Dodgers Dodgers waste Game 2 chances and move to the edge of another playoff collapse
45 minutes ago
This is, after all, the first postseason series in major league history where a team with a 200-plus run differential faced a team with a negative run differential.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2023
See More
Adjective
Crocodiles Do Eat Hippos… Despite the major size differential, crocodiles remain the only apex predator in the ring.
—Paul Richards, Field & Stream, 15 Nov. 2023
But the key difference with a standard camera is that an event camera works in differential mode.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Oct. 2023
There is an undeniable truth to this: doctors’ biases and prejudices often show up in differential treatment.
—Hazlitt, 27 Sep. 2023
And the potential winning payout is lucrative: $10,000 to the individual who can outlast the competition and post the highest point differential.
—Richard Morin, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023
The Dutch came into the match with a two-goal disadvantage to the United States in both differential and goals scored.
—John Powers, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2023
The special edition adds front bumper canards, a limited-slip differential, and rear performance dampers to help with performance.
—Jack Fitzgerald, Car and Driver, 15 Aug. 2023
For off-road and camping enthusiasts, the cars will come standard with a 6,000-pound tow hitch, double-wishbone front suspension, center locking differential, automatic slip differential and an electronic locking rear differential.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas News, 2 Aug. 2023
The Census Bureau has said the differential privacy algorithms are needed because, without them, the growth of easily available third-party data combined with modern computing could allow hackers to piece together the identities of participants in its censuses and surveys in violation of the law.
—Mike Schneider and Morgan Lee, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023
Noun
An Italian-market example, the car was sold new in Verona, Italy, and equipped from the factory with the optional limited-slip differential and Dunlop Sport tires.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 Nov. 2023
This 2023 club had close to the most effective pitching in baseball, a certain Cy Young winner, the best closer (who thankfully will be leaving), very good defense, and one of the top run differentials.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2023
Goal differential doesn’t matter either so LAFC’s 5-2 win over Vancouver on Saturday on two goals each from Denis Bouanga and Ryan Hollingshead counts the same as a 1-0 win on an own goal.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2023
New parts include Nitron dampers, six-link rear suspension, adjustable anti-roll bars, six-piston front brakes, and a limited-slip differential.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2023
Injuries or strength differentials on either sides of the body can cause the hips to become unbalanced, altering the movement pattern in the hips.
—Cori Ritchey, Men's Health, 7 Sep. 2023
Furthermore, Lamborghini says the electric motor mounted on the rear axle can act like a simulated limited-slip differential to aid handling while cornering.
—Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 18 Aug. 2023
Miami is 33-11 in one-run games, which explains their glowing record despite an astounding -57 run differential.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2023
Dodgers Dodgers waste Game 2 chances and move to the edge of another playoff collapse
45 minutes ago
This is, after all, the first postseason series in major league history where a team with a 200-plus run differential faced a team with a negative run differential.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2023
See More
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
Phrases Containing differential
Dictionary Entries Near differential
Cite this Entry
“Differential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/differential. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
differential
1 of 2 adjective
dif·fer·en·tial
ˌdif-ə-ˈren-chəl
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
differential
2 of 2 noun1
: 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
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
More from Merriam-Webster on differential
Nglish: Translation of differential for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of differential for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about differential
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