feature

noun fea·ture \ ˈfē-chər \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of feature

1 a : the structure, form, or appearance especially of a person

a man of large feature

b obsolete : physical beauty

2 a : the makeup or appearance of the face or its parts

stern of feature even when he smiled

b : a part of the face : lineament

a person with Asian features

3 a : a prominent part or characteristic

Pine trees were a feature of the landscape.

b : any of the properties (such as voice or gender) that are characteristic of a grammatical element (such as a phoneme or morpheme); especially : one that is distinctive

4 : a special attraction: such as

a : a featured motion picture

b : a featured article, story, or department in a newspaper or magazine

An account of the fire was the feature in the Sunday newspaper.

c : something offered to the public or advertised as particularly attractive

one of the car's most popular features

—

featureless

play \ˈfē-chər-ləs\ adjective

See feature defined for English-language learners

See feature defined for kids

Examples of feature in a Sentence

This year's models include several new safety features.
This camera has several features that make it easy to use.
The car has some interesting new design features.
His plan combines the best features of the earlier proposals.
Her eyes are her best feature.
Tonight's feature is a new romantic comedy.
He starred in his first feature film a year ago.

Recent Examples of feature from the Web

Zama is your first feature film to be set in the past.

— ben sachs, Chicago Reader, "An interview with Lucrecia Martel, Argentina's greatest filmmaker," 16 Apr. 2018
Filmmaker Chloé Zhao was born in Beijing, educated in England, and currently lives in Ojai, California, but if The Rider—her second feature film, out this week—is any indication, it’s South Dakota that most inspires her.

— adam rathe, Town & Country, "Is This New Movie Reinvigorating the Western?," 13 Apr. 2018
Key to the overall cost reduction strategy will be streamlining common components such as engines, electrical systems and high-end features, such as sunroofs.

— phoebe wall howard, USA TODAY, "Ford Focus gets new look, more room and tech," 10 Apr. 2018
Key to the overall cost reduction strategy will be streamlining common components such as engines, electrical systems and high-end features, such as sunroofs.

— phoebe wall howard, Detroit Free Press, "New Ford Focus unveiled overseas, made in China, Germany," 10 Apr. 2018
The new, larger store will have such features as a taproom, hot bar and salad bar, and a wide variety of grab-and-go items.

— joyce smith, kansascity, "Whole Foods holds job fair in advance of May opening by UMKC | The Kansas City Star," 5 Apr. 2018
The militants often chose natural features such as sinkholes for execution or body-dumping sites, making many bodies hard to recover.

— isabel coles and, WSJ, "Iraq Struggles to Exhume and Identify Slaughtered Victims of Islamic State," 4 Apr. 2018
According to André, the forthcoming feature-length film about Vogue’s beloved former staffer and occasional contributor André Leon Talley.

— eve macsweeney, Vogue, "The Gospel According to André," 2 Apr. 2018
More than 125 feature-length and short films will be part of this year's Indy Film Fest, with the entire lineup scheduled to be announced Friday at IndyFilmFest.org.

— david lindquist, Indianapolis Star, "Charlize Theron movie focused on motherhood will open Indy Film Fest," 2 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of feature

Middle English feture, from Anglo-French, from Latin factura act of making, from factus, past participle of facere to make — more at do

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

feature Synonyms

Synonyms

attribute, attribution, character, characteristic, criterion, differentia, fingerprint, hallmark, mark, marker, note, particularity, peculiarity, point, property, quality, specific, stamp, touch, trait;

Related Words

badge, indication, sign;

emblem, symbol, token;

charm, grace;

excellence, merit, virtue;

eccentricity, idiosyncrasy, oddity, quirk;

individuality, singularity, uniqueness;

feature

verb

Definition of feature

featured; featuring play \ˈfēch-riŋ, ˈfē-chər-iŋ\

transitive verb

1 chiefly dialectal : to resemble in features

2 : to picture or portray in the mind : imagine

3 a : to give special prominence to

the exhibit features local artists

b : to have as a characteristic or feature

a menu featuring many options

intransitive verb

: to play an important part

See feature defined for English-language learners

Examples of feature in a Sentence

The building features a state-of-the-art security system.
The new menu features several low-fat entrees.
The show now features a new singer.
The evening news report featured the story of the murder.
The newspaper featured health care on its front page.

Recent Examples of feature from the Web

The Pap-a-thon also features bone-density screenings, body composition testing, certified bra fittings and chair massages.

— Post-Tribune, "Community news," 19 Apr. 2018
The home also features a large deck off the dining room on the first floor.

— shannon rooney, Philly.com, "On the market: Three houses in West Chester under $400,000," 19 Apr. 2018
The video also features several touching shots of a tearful Cardin crying behind the wheel of her car.

— chrissie dickinson, chicagotribune.com, "Canadian singer Charlotte Cardin is more than a YouTube sensation," 19 Apr. 2018
This weeks poll also features five newcomers, including Marshfield, which recorded a perfect game and a shutout win over then No. 6 Bridgewater-Raynham in back-to-back days.

— BostonGlobe.com, "High school softball rankings," 19 Apr. 2018
Queen Bey not only donated workout clothes and accessories to the Harlem nonprofit organization, but also featured the young skaters as models for Ivy Park’s Spring 2018 collection.

— cady lang, Time, "Beyoncé's Ivy Park Line Is Supporting the Figure Skating Dreams of Young Girls," 18 Apr. 2018
This year also features a special student Story Slam at Beaverton's ACMA, the Arts & Communication Magnet Academy.

— beaverton city library, OregonLive.com, "Art of the Story Kicks off Fourteenth Year of Live Storytelling," 18 Apr. 2018
Minestre also typically feature pasta, potatoes or rice, whereas zuppe generally incorporate bread.

— emily horton, sacbee, "Legumes, vegetables enrich these simple, one-pot pasta dishes | The Sacramento Bee," 17 Apr. 2018
The aquatic center also features a covered area for sun protection.

— the republic | azcentral.com, azcentral, "Staying fit and healthy," 17 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of feature

see ¹feature

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1755

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

feature Synonyms

Phrases

bear down on, make much of;

FEATURE Defined for English Language Learners

feature

noun

Definition of feature for English Language Learners

: an interesting or important part, quality, ability, etc.
: a part of the face (such as the eyes, nose, or mouth)
: a movie that is made to be shown in a theater for entertainment : a full-length movie

feature

verb

Definition of feature for English Language Learners

: to have or include (someone or something) as an important part
: to discuss or mention (something or someone) in a noticeable way : to give particular attention to (someone or something important)

FEATURE Defined for Kids

feature

noun fea·ture \ ˈfē-chər \

Definition of feature for Students

1 : a part (as the nose or the mouth) of the face

2 : something especially noticeable

a safety feature

3 : movie 1

4 : a special story in a newspaper or magazine

feature

verb

Definition of feature for Students

featured; featuring

1 : to have as a characteristic

The TV features a flat screen.

2 : to give special prominence to

The newspaper featured a story about the election.

3 : to play an important part

A bus tour featured in our trip.

Medical Dictionary

feature

noun fea·ture \ ˈfē-chər \

medical Definition of feature

1 : the structure, form, or appearance especially of a person

2 a : the makeup or appearance of the face or its parts

b : a part of the face

Learn More about feature

See words that rhyme with feature Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for feature Spanish Central: Translation of feature Nglish: Translation of feature for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of feature for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about feature

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feature

Definition of feature

featureless

Examples of feature in a Sentence

Recent Examples of feature from the Web

Origin and Etymology of feature

feature Synonyms

Synonyms

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feature

Definition of feature

Examples of feature in a Sentence

Recent Examples of feature from the Web

Origin and Etymology of feature

feature Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Phrases

Phrases Related to FEATURE

Related Phrases

FEATURE Defined for English Language Learners

feature

Definition of feature for English Language Learners

feature

Definition of feature for English Language Learners

FEATURE Defined for Kids

feature

Definition of feature for Students

feature

Definition of feature for Students

Medical Dictionary

feature

medical Definition of feature

Learn More about feature

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