dif·fer·en·tial
ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl 
1
a
: of, relating to, or constituting a difference : distinguishing
differential characteristics
b
: making a distinction between individuals or classes
differential tax rates
c
: based on or resulting from a differential
d
: functioning or proceeding differently or at a different rate
differential melting
2
mathematics
: being, relating to, or involving a differential (see differential entry 2 sense 1) or differentiation
3
physics
a
: relating to quantitative differences (as of motion or pressure)
b
: producing effects by reason of quantitative differences
1
mathematics
a
: the product (see product sense 1) of the derivative of a function of one variable by the increment of the independent variable
b
: a sum of products in which each product consists of a partial derivative of a given function of several variables multiplied by the corresponding increment and which contains as many products as there are independent variables in the function
2
: a difference between comparable individuals or classes
a price differential
also
: the amount of such a difference
3
a
: a drivetrain gear assembly connecting two collinear shafts or axles (such as those of the rear wheels of an automobile) and permitting one shaft to revolve faster than the other
a locking rear differential
b
: a case covering such an assembly
Synonyms
Examples of differential in a Sentence
Adjective
did away with differential pay scales for men and women doing the same work
Recent Examples on the Web
Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024
Canada reached the quarterfinals with the top ranking in the tournament based on points earned, goals scored and goal differential.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2024
Consider alternative ways to increase your income within your current role, such as overtime or differential pay for specific tasks.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024
The center console puts controls for drive mode, high/low range and differential locks immediately at hand.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 1 Feb. 2024
By point differential and DVOA, the Texans have been a far better team than the Colts this season.
—Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Jan. 2024
Question whether advanced protections like homomorphic encryption, secure multi-party computation or differential privacy are being used.
—Moran Zavdi, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
The time state is a more efficient quantum state and takes center stage in this protocol for message transmission by utilizing novel encoding techniques based on differential delay-time bins.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Jan. 2024
The tiebreaker between the teams came down to point differential, so both Green Bay's game and Carolina's against the Saints featured wild finishes.
—Journal Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2024
Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 29 Feb. 2024
The Cardinal finished third in the NCAA in rebounding differential and have one of the country’s premiere shot-blockers in Brink.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2024
Also contributing to its handling prowess is another first for McLaren, an electronic differential to maximize traction at the back.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2024
The lineup of Russell-Reaves-Hachimura-James-Davis had played just 16 minutes entering Saturday but had a net rating (point differential per 100 possessions) of plus-37.5 because of elite offensive production.
—Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 4 Feb. 2024
Still, the '75 team's case is compelling given a 12-2 record and the largest point differential (+211) in franchise history.
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024
Jackson could win his second MVP after leading Baltimore to the league’s best record and point differential during the regular season.
—Noah Trister, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2024
Tampa has allowed just nine points in its past two games and had a plus-eight turnover differential for the regular season.
—Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 21 Jan. 2024
Oil might begin to leak from the truck’s rear differential underneath the vehicle, according to Toyota.
—Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Miami leads the league with 13 goals and a plus-eight goal differential.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024
Canada reached the quarterfinals with the top ranking in the tournament based on points earned, goals scored and goal differential.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2024
Consider alternative ways to increase your income within your current role, such as overtime or differential pay for specific tasks.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024
The center console puts controls for drive mode, high/low range and differential locks immediately at hand.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 1 Feb. 2024
By point differential and DVOA, the Texans have been a far better team than the Colts this season.
—Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Jan. 2024
Question whether advanced protections like homomorphic encryption, secure multi-party computation or differential privacy are being used.
—Moran Zavdi, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
The time state is a more efficient quantum state and takes center stage in this protocol for message transmission by utilizing novel encoding techniques based on differential delay-time bins.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Jan. 2024
The tiebreaker between the teams came down to point differential, so both Green Bay's game and Carolina's against the Saints featured wild finishes.
—Journal Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2024
Noun
Denver hasn’t lost since and extended its winning streak to four with an average point differential of 18.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 29 Feb. 2024
The Cardinal finished third in the NCAA in rebounding differential and have one of the country’s premiere shot-blockers in Brink.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2024
Also contributing to its handling prowess is another first for McLaren, an electronic differential to maximize traction at the back.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2024
The lineup of Russell-Reaves-Hachimura-James-Davis had played just 16 minutes entering Saturday but had a net rating (point differential per 100 possessions) of plus-37.5 because of elite offensive production.
—Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 4 Feb. 2024
Still, the '75 team's case is compelling given a 12-2 record and the largest point differential (+211) in franchise history.
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024
Jackson could win his second MVP after leading Baltimore to the league’s best record and point differential during the regular season.
—Noah Trister, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2024
Tampa has allowed just nine points in its past two games and had a plus-eight turnover differential for the regular season.
—Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 21 Jan. 2024
Oil might begin to leak from the truck’s rear differential underneath the vehicle, according to Toyota.
—Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'differential.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near differential
Cite this Entry
“Differential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/differential. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
differential
1 of 2 adjective
dif·fer·en·tial
ˌdif-ə-ˈren-chəl
1
a
: of, relating to, or being a difference
b
: treating some individuals or classes differently from others : discriminatory
2
: acting or proceeding differently or at a different rate
differential diffusion of molecules through a membrane
differential
2 of 2 noun1
: an amount or degree of difference between comparable things
the price differential between a small and large box of popcorn
2
: an arrangement of gears in an automobile that allows one wheel to turn faster than another (as in going around a curve)
Medical Definition
differential
adjective
dif·fer·en·tial
ˌdif-ə-ˈren-chəl
1
: of, relating to, or constituting a difference
differential birth rates in different economic levels
2
: making a distinction between individuals or classes
differential cell counts
differential staining
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