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

The next step is to grow through differentiation, a journey its now well prepared to take. —Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Now the differentiation lies in how intelligence is applied to real-world, interdisciplinary problems where context matters most. —Ravi Kumar, Time, 25 Aug. 2025

Still, McGee said airlines have a history of testing the limits of price differentiation. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025

The differentiation in duties across locations has added a layer of complexity to sourcing. —Sj Guest Editorial, Sourcing Journal, 19 Aug. 2025

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

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization

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