feature

[fee-cher]

noun

1. a prominent or conspicuous part or characteristic.

   Tall buildings were a new feature on the skyline.

2. something offered as a special attraction.

   This model has several added features.

3. Also called feature film. the main motion picture in a movie program.

   What time is the feature?

4. any part of the face, as the nose, chin, or eyes.

   prominent features.

5. features, the face; countenance.

   to compose one's features for the photographers.

6. the form or cast of the face.

   delicate of feature.

7. a column, cartoon, etc., appearing regularly in a newspaper or magazine.

8. feature story.

9. Archaic.,  make, form, or shape.

verb (used with object)

featured, featuring 

1. to be a feature or distinctive mark of.

   It was industrial expansion that featured the last century.

2. to make a feature of; give prominence to.

   to feature a story or picture in a newspaper.

3. to delineate the main characteristics of; depict; outline.

4. Informal.,  to conceive of; imagine; fancy.

   He couldn't quite feature himself as a bank president.

5. Older Use.,  to resemble in features; favor.

verb (used without object)

featured, featuring 

1. to play a major part.

feature

/ ˈfiːtʃə /

noun

1. any one of the parts of the face, such as the nose, chin, or mouth

2. a prominent or distinctive part or aspect, as of a landscape, building, book, etc

3. the principal film in a programme at a cinema

4. an item or article appearing regularly in a newspaper, magazine, etc

   a gardening feature

5. Also called: feature story. a prominent story in a newspaper, etc

   a feature on prison reform

6. a programme given special prominence on radio or television as indicated by attendant publicity

7. an article offered for sale as a special attraction, as in a large retail establishment

8. archaic,  general form or make-up

9. linguistics a quality of a linguistic unit at some level of description

   grammatical feature

   semantic feature

verb

1. (tr) to have as a feature or make a feature of

2. to give prominence to (an actor, famous event, etc) in a film or (of an actor, etc) to have prominence in a film

3. informal,  (tr) to imagine; consider

   I can't feature that happening

Other Word Forms

• transfeature verb (used with object)
• underfeature noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of feature¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English feture, from Anglo-French, Middle French faiture, from Latin factūra “formation, manufacture.” See fact, -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of feature¹

C14: from Anglo-French feture , from Latin factūra a making, from facere to make

Synonym Study

Feature, characteristic, peculiarity refer to a distinctive trait of an individual or of a class. Feature suggests an outstanding or marked property that attracts attention: Complete harmony was a feature of the convention. Characteristic means a distinguishing mark or quality (or one of such) always associated in one's mind with a particular person or thing: Defiance is one of his characteristics. Peculiarity means that distinct or unusual characteristic that marks off an individual in the class to which he, she, or it belongs: A blue-black tongue is a peculiarity of the chow chow.

Example Sentences

On the one hand, this is her feature directing debut.

From Los Angeles Times

Flames have reached the southernmost point of the well-traveled McKinley Grove Road, which is being used “as a major containment feature,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Slash has become such a Halloween Horror Nights fixture that this year will feature a bar centered around the artist, one complete with a mini top hat as a dessert.

From Los Angeles Times

The museum will host a daylong event this weekend featuring artists from the Red Hot organization’s recent ‘Transa’ compilation.

From Los Angeles Times

Behtiyar, in her debut feature, is spectacular, eyes fiery, her expression often inscrutable, body in constant motion as Cheng’s camera follows close behind.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aspect 
• character 
• component 
• detail 
• element 
• factor 
• ingredient 
• item 
• quality 
• trait 

When To Use

What is a basic definition of feature?

A feature is a distinctive trait or a special attraction. Feature can also mean to give special attention to something. The word feature has several other senses as a noun and a verb.A feature is a unique quality or characteristic that something has.

• Real-life examples: Elaborately colored tail feathers are peacocks’ most well-known feature. Earth has many features, such as a particular atmosphere, abundance of water, and temperature that make it able to sustain life. Platypuses have many features that are unusual in mammals, such as a bill and the ability to lay eggs.



• Used in a sentence: My house is really boring and doesn’t have any cool features that set it apart from every other house in the neighborhood. 

Feature can also mean a special attraction or enticing quality that something has. Not all features are necessarily useful and, especially in advertising, they are often added to amaze rather than perform a useful function.

• Real-life examples: Smartphones often have many features, such as Bluetooth technology, a camera, and many other additions that entice customers to buy it. People who buy cars are often interested in extra features, such as rear-view cameras, automated steering, and heated seats.



• Used in a sentence: I always go for cameras with lots of neat features, like custom white balancing.

As a verb, feature means to draw special attention to something or to shine the spotlight on it. If something is featured, it is mentioned first, given the most time, advertised most heavily, or invested the most effort into.

• Real-life examples: Movie advertising often features a big star on posters and in commercials even if the person is barely in the movie. The main event fight is usually featured by boxing or mixed martial arts promoters because it will attract the most ticket buyers.



• Used in a sentence: I really like this song because it features the drummer the most.