Definition of distinction
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
4a
: 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
5a
: class sense 4
Mr. Hemingway's … prose is of the first distinction.— Edmund Wilson
Test Your Vocabulary
Name That Food
-
- Name these cookies!

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share distinction
Time Traveler for distinction
The first known use of distinction was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century