distinction
//dɪˈstɪŋkʃən//
formalForms
- Plural
- distinctions
Definitions
1.That which distinguishes; a single occurrence of a determining factor or feature, the fact of being divided; separation, discrimination.
2.The act of distinguishing, discriminating; discrimination.
- There is a distinction to be made between resting and slacking.
- We must always make a distinction that right versus wrong is different from legal and illegal.
3.A feature that causes someone or something to stand out from others of its type.
- She had the distinction of meeting the Queen.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3276
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Word family
Etymology
From Middle English distinccioun, from Old French distinction (attested from the 12th century), borrowed from Latin distinctiōnem, action noun of distinguō (“separate, distinguish”).
By surface analysis, distinct (“to distinguish”) + -ion.