distinction

[dih-stingk-shuhn]

noun

1. a marking off or distinguishing as different.

   His distinction of sounds is excellent.

2. the recognizing or noting of differences; discrimination.

   to make a distinction between right and wrong.

3. a discrimination made between things as different; special regard or favoritism.

   Death comes to all without distinction.

4. condition of being different; difference.

   There is a distinction between what he says and what he does.

   Antonyms: resemblance

5. a distinguishing quality or characteristic.

   It has the distinction of being the oldest house in the town.

6. a distinguishing or treating with special honor, attention, or favor.

7. an act of bestowing, or a mark of, honor or favor.

8. marked superiority; note; eminence.

   Synonyms: importance, renown

9. distinguished distinguished appearance.

10. Obsolete.,  division; separation.

distinction

/ dɪˈstɪŋkʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of distinguishing or differentiating

2. a distinguishing feature

3. the state of being different or distinguishable

4. special honour, recognition, or fame

5. excellence of character; distinctive qualities

   a man of distinction

6. distinguished appearance

7. a symbol of honour or rank

Other Word Forms

• distinctionless adjective
• subdistinction noun
• underdistinction noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of distinction¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English distinccioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin distinctiōn-, stem of distinctiō “difference”; equivalent to distinct + -ion

Synonym Study

Distinction and difference may both refer to perceivable dissimilarities and, in this meaning, may be used interchangeably: There is a distinction ( difference ) between the two. Distinction, however, usually suggests the perception of dissimilarity, as the result of analysis and discrimination: a carefully made distinction between two treatments of the same theme; whereas difference refers only to the condition of being dissimilar: the difference between Gothic and Roman architecture. “A distinction without a difference” is a way of referring to an artificial or false discrimination. See honor.

Example Sentences

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security emphasize that these distinctions are not merely academic.

From Salon

“Dr. Retsef is neither a public health practitioner nor a healthcare provider, which may be why he doesn’t appear to grasp this distinction.”

From Los Angeles Times

Manchester City have negotiated a testing week with distinction so far, but their tricky spell comes to a head on Sunday with a tough trip to Premier League title rivals Arsenal.

From BBC

Lawrence hasn’t quite made the important distinction between these two kinds of audiences, though.

From Los Angeles Times

Former Met borough commander for Haringey, Dr Victor Olisa, has said there is a clear hierarchy, a distinction between the highly organised gang leaders controlling operations, and those carrying out their orders on the streets.

From BBC

Related Words

• characteristic 
• contrast 
• difference 
• differentiation 
• discrepancy 
• discrimination 
• divergence 
• division 
• judgment 
• nicety 
• perception 
• quality 
• sensitivity 
• separation