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

This is precisely why brand differentiation and sustainability matter more than ever, with trust and strategic positioning standing out as truly defensible assets. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Feb. 2026

One major point of differentiation from other active ingredients is that stem cell skin-care products aren't necessarily filled with live stem cells. —Deanna Pai, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026

The death of friction could lead to new kinds of differentiation, as firms would increasingly have to compete not on removing friction but on curating experience, creating narrative, and building identity—areas where human psychology still reigns. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026

Too much differentiation can feel stark, while too little may look flat. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 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

• 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