distinction

noun

dis·​tinc·​tion di-ˈstiŋ(k)-shən 

1

: the act of perceiving someone or something as being not the same and often treating as separate or different : the distinguishing of a difference

without distinction as to race, sex, or religion

also : the difference distinguished

the distinction between imply and infer

2

: something that distinguishes

regional distinctions

3

: the quality or state of being distinguishable

no distinction of facial features in the twins

4

a

: the quality or state of being excellent or superior : the quality or state of being distinguished or worthy

a politician of some distinction

b

: special honor or recognition

took a law degree with distinction

won many distinctions

c

: an accomplishment that sets one apart

holds the distinction of being the only American to win the prize

5

a

: class sense 4

Mr. Hemingway's … prose is of the first distinction.

—Edmund Wilson

b

archaic : division

Synonyms

• choiceness
• excellence
• excellency
• first-rateness
• greatness
• perfection
• preeminence
• primeness
• superbness
• superiority
• supremacy

Examples of distinction in a Sentence

There are no obvious distinctions between the two designs.

She made a distinction between the words “less” and “fewer.”

He was raised in a small town of no great distinction.

Her talents gave distinction to the work.

Recent Examples on the Web

Technical Architecture Supports Continuous Improvement The distinction between NeMo and Nvidia’s Inference Microservices, branded as NIMs, lies in their complementary functions. —Janakiram Msv, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Even for the big names, the distinction between the pure and the pragmatic holds fast. —Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025

But those teams also have the distinction of passing on Jalen Hurts, who has won a Super Bowl and played in another with the Eagles, while Herbert and Tagovailoa have yet to win a single playoff game. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Renault will make just 1,980 of them, and the 5 Turbo 3E also has the distinction of being Renault’s most powerful-ever road-going car. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see distinct

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5b

Phrases Containing distinction

• with distinction

Rhymes for distinction

• extinction
• contradistinction
• tinction

Kids Definition

distinction

noun

dis·​tinc·​tion dis-ˈtiŋ(k)-shən 

1

a

: the seeing or pointing out of a difference

b

: difference sense 1

the distinction between good and evil

2

: something that makes a person or thing special or different

the distinction of being the oldest house in the city

3

a

: particular excellence

served with distinction

b

: special honor or recognition