differential

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

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

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

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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

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
Penn State defense finally makes field position differential pay off.

— tyler donohue, ajc, "Penn State-Iowa: Recap, score, analysis for Week 4 game (09/23/2017)," 23 Sep. 2017
The longer-lasting problem is that the nation is wrestling once again with its founding injustice: the unequal application of of state power, on differential racial grounds.

— james fallows, The Atlantic, "Why the Arpaio Pardon Matters," 27 Aug. 2017
A comparison of their efforts: Dates Run differential Avg.

— matt calkins, The Seattle Times, "Streaky Mariners go from breakthrough to breakdown, now what?," 28 June 2017
The starting pitching’s struggles have led to many lopsided losses and a minus-78 run differential unbecoming of a legitimate contender.

— eduardo a. encina, baltimoresun.com, "Two straight road wins entering All-Star break lift Orioles out of cellar, provide reason for hope," 9 July 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

see ¹different

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

Toronto’s point differential is better than Golden State’s and second only to Houston in the NBA.

— greg cote, miamiherald, "Of the four teams the Heat might face in the playoffs, fans should hope it isn’t this one | Miami Herald," 5 Apr. 2018
The Trailhawk has a low-range of gears with a 51.2:1 maximum crawl ratio and a locking rear differential.

— mark phelan, Detroit Free Press, "Review: 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk powers ahead with new engine, looks," 4 Apr. 2018
Should he be commended for being a plus-22 on a team that has a minus-26 goal differential or averaging nearly two points a game in Oilers wins.

— mike brehm, USA TODAY, "Why Connor McDavid should not repeat as NHL MVP," 28 Mar. 2018
Columbus has the next tie-breaker — a plus-7 goal differential compared to the Flyers’ plus-2.

— sam carchidi, Philly.com, "Flyers fall to Sidney Crosby, Penguins in OT," 25 Mar. 2018
Whether that differential is an indicator of potential local results in the November midterm election is open to debate.

— jim newton, Lake County News-Sun, "Lake County Democratic chair says Tuesday's party turnout sets up 'something big' in November," 21 Mar. 2018
Against enemies with high end air defenses however speed is a top priority, and a 55 knot differential could mean the difference between catching the enemy by surprise or flying into an ambush.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Marines Want The Swiss Army Knife of Drones," 19 Mar. 2018
After rebates and discounts, however, the average price fell by 4.6%, a differential of nearly 13 percentage points.

— charley grant, WSJ, "Time for Pharma to Play Defense With Deals," 15 Mar. 2018
View 77 Photos While the limited-slip differential helps the i30 N find impressive traction, there is still some torque steer at low revs.

— mike duff, Car and Driver, "2018 Hyundai i30 N," 6 Feb. 2018

Origin and Etymology of differential

see ¹different

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