distinction

American  

[dih-stingk-shuhn] / dɪˈstɪŋk ʃən /

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 appearance.

10. Obsolete. division; separation.

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distinction British  

/ 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

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• distinctionless adjective
• subdistinction noun
• underdistinction noun

Etymology

Origin of distinction

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

Explanation

When you are marked for distinction, it means you are someone who is going to do well in life. You will set yourself apart from others. Distinction means being set apart, often by excellence. When things are distinct from one another, they are different. It is the distinctions that make them this way. In your school, an outside observer might at first be unable to see the distinctions among the kids, but with a little time they'll be able to see how kids are identified and associated with their peculiar qualities.

Example Sentences

Now, the commonwealth consistently ranks among the top states for book challenges, a distinction unknown to many of her students.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

Lilly’s pill doesn’t come with the same restrictions, a distinction analysts say could set it apart as the competition intensifies.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

She later earned a doctorate in astronomy from Harvard and in 1927, she became the youngest astronomer ever to have a star of distinction next to her name in the publication American Men of Science.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

The more important lesson is that democratic institutions can be weakened without being entirely dismantled—and that recognizing this distinction is essential if such systems are to be strengthened.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

In modern English the distinction is clear: going to the ballet is an experience; the Large Hadron Collider is an experiment.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

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