Trivia Time

Which of these is a feature of a smartphone?

Test Your Knowledge

feature

American  

[fee-cher] / ˈfi tʃər /

noun

• features
  plural

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)

• features,
  present (3rd person singular)
• featured,
  past participle,  past
• featuring
  present participle

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)

• features,
  present (3rd person singular)
• featured,
  past participle,  past
• featuring
  present participle

1. to play a major part.

feature British  

/ 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

Usage

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.

Synonym Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• underfeature
  noun
• transfeature
  verb (used with object)

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• features
  plural

Participles

• featuring
  present
• featured
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• feature
  simple
• features
  simple
• have featured
  perfect
• has featured
  perfect
• am featuring
  progressive
• are featuring
  progressive
• is featuring
  progressive
• have been featuring
  perfect progressive
• has been featuring
  perfect progressive

Past

• featured
  simple
• had featured
  perfect
• was featuring
  progressive
• were featuring
  progressive
• had been featuring
  perfect progressive

Future

• will feature
  simple
• will have featured
  perfect
• will be featuring
  progressive
• will have been featuring
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of feature

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

Explanation

A feature is a part of something that makes it special or able to work better, such as a bonus feature on a DVD or a smartphone feature that provides faster Internet connections. The word feature has both a noun and a verb form used to describe a main characteristic, as in a car's safety features or a restaurant menu that features Italian dishes. In addition, feature can refer to a newspaper or magazine article that provides in-depth information, like a feature about the First Lady and her life. You’ve probably also heard it used to describe a main part of the face, such as the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

feature features featured featuring

Camara has already returned to training and is set to feature in their upcoming match away at Paris St-Germain on Friday night.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026

The feature is currently limited to larger vessels, but Brunswick is working to make it more affordable and available on all models 20 feet and longer.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

The feature had been completed under a relatively low budget, it had tested well with audiences, and big names like James Gunn and John Cena were involved.

From Slate ● Sep. 1, 2026

Because the embryos were not yet capable of actively moving their bodies into position, the researchers suspected that some physical feature of their development was creating the twist.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 1, 2026

The most distinguishing feature of Heinrich Heinck was a noticeable scar in the middle of his forehead.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

Other features include a research and reading library, a cafe and a fifth-floor restaurant called Skywalker Grill, which boasts stunning rooftop views of downtown L.A.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

The other side of the coin features a version of the US presidential seal, depicting an eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch while covered by a shield that says "250."

From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026

Over the past few years, Southwest ditched hallmark features like open seating and started charging for checked bags.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

The property is “surrounded by lush gardens and features a sparkling pool and spa, creating an idyllic setting for both entertaining and everyday living.”

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026

It had her features, her soft brown hair and the familiar smile.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

After hitting a 52-week low of $106.37 in late June, the stock recovered on a strong second-quarter earnings beat that featured robust commercial growth and a raised outlook.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026

He also featured under Enzo Maresca in City's opening game of the 2026-27 Premier League season as they beat Bournemouth 2-1.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

Open champion also gave a nod to the 11-time NBA All-Star during her media day news conference Saturday by wearing a T-shirt that featured the longtime Philadelphia 76ers star’s 1999 Slam magazine cover.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

One early hit was the Ballbarrow: a wheelbarrow that featured a ball instead of a wheel.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

The cover of the first book featured a photograph of a tiger peering through the mangrove trees.

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins

Christopher and Anya’s adventures unspool at a breathless pace as they hop from island to island, dueling with pirates, trespassing among giants and competing in a deadly street race featuring some of Glimouria’s nastier creatures.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

Egypt -- which under Sisi's administration became one of the world's top weapons buyers -- hosted major joint air combat exercises with the Chinese military in August, featuring Beijing's powerful J-16 fighter jet.

From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026

A “Snowfall” sequel has been percolating since the final season, when Bean was informed by producers about plans for a spinoff featuring her and John.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

Across the bank holiday weekend, more than two million people were expected to join in the celebrations, featuring thousands of parade performers in sequins, feathers and bejewelled headpieces.

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026

There were also photos of Ramirez dancers, most of them featuring Selena and her mom.

From "The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Pérez

Related Words

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