distinction

noun dis·tinc·tion \ di-ˈstiŋ(k)-shən \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Examples: distinction in a Sentence

Definition of distinction

1 a archaic : division

b : class 4

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

2 : 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

3 : something that distinguishes

regional distinctions

4 : the quality or state of being distinguishable

no distinction of facial features in the twins

5 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

See distinction defined for English-language learners

See distinction defined for kids

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 of distinction from the Web

Fewer than 100 hotels and resorts in the country earned that coveted distinction in 2018.

— dawn gilbertson, azcentral, "Check out the Phoenician resort's fresh look: New spa, golf course, lobby," 11 July 2018
Here's a summary of the athletes who earned the rare distinction of All-Suburban Player of the Year more than once.

— jr radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The two-timers club: A look at athletes named All-Suburban Player of the Year multiple times," 10 July 2018
The former Air Force linguist earned the distinction of being the first person prosecuted by the Trump administration on charges of leaking classified information under the Espionage Act.

— robert hackett, Fortune, "Cyber Saturday—How Science Could Have Saved Reality Winner," 1 July 2018
Lynch served on active duty with the U.S. Army in Germany and Vietnam, and his actions in December 1967 that saved the lives of his fellow soldiers during his Vietnam duty earned him the distinction of the Medal of Honor.

— yadira sanchez olson, Lake County News-Sun, "Gurnee Medal of Honor recipient to join festival honoring veterans at Chicagoland Speedway," 29 June 2018
Careful maintenance of this area has earned Quebec City the distinction of sharing a place on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites, which includes the historic center of Rome, the pyramids of Egypt and the San Antonio Missions.

— si liberman, San Antonio Express-News, "A sentimental journey to Montreal and Quebec City," 28 June 2018
Completed in 1913, the nation’s first curvilinear bridge earned that distinction almost by happenstance.

— matthew segal, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Complicated Case of the Colorado Street Bridge," 18 June 2018
The hikes earned Amman the dubious distinction of being the Arab world’s most expensive city in 2018, according to a report by the Economist magazine.

— nabih bulos, latimes.com, "With protests rocking Jordan, king accepts resignation of prime minister, names reformer as successor," 4 June 2018
That, however, didn’t stop Howley from earning MVP honors, the only member of a losing team to earn that distinction.

— drew davison, star-telegram, "Dirk, Hamilton, Irvin, Bonds. Sports' greatest individual performances for naught," 3 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'distinction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of distinction

see distinct

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

distinction Synonyms

DISTINCTION Defined for English Language Learners

distinction

noun

Definition of distinction for English Language Learners

: a difference that you can see, hear, smell, feel, etc. : a noticeable difference between things or people
: the separation of people or things into different groups
: importance, excellence, or achievement