distinction

American  

[dih-stingk-shuhn] / dɪˈstɪŋk ʃən /

noun

distinctions plural

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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Synonym Usage

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

Derived Forms

• subdistinction
  noun
• underdistinction
  noun
• distinctionless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• distinctions
  plural

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

See Examples For:

distinction distinctions

Former Scotland and Liverpool forward Sir Kenny Dalglish described Keegan as "one of the very best players of his generation" who "wore Liverpool's famous number seven shirt with great distinction".

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

The distinction could have involved factors that aren’t readily public, said Ulrika Swanson, a Washington, D.C., attorney with Cassidy Levy Kent, whose practice focuses on export controls and economic sanctions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

“The overwhelming majority of our employees serve our communities with integrity, professionalism, and distinction every day, and they deserve to work alongside individuals who uphold those same standards,” the statement read.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

There, brunch lasted from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., by which point the distinction between brunch and simply spending the entire day at a bar had become largely academic.

From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026

A boy with one eye sees the world differently than everyone else, but it didn’t take long for Mike Burry to see his literal distinction in more figurative terms.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

She puzzles out the distinctions among nursing homes, assisted living facilities and continuing care retirement communities, as well as home healthcare.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

Its asymmetrical, free-form plate-glass top rests on a base made of two identical, U-shaped wooden legs —a configuration that blurs distinctions between primitivism and classicism, the organic and the engineered, furniture and art.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026

Indeed, one of the striking features of the majority opinion is how persistently it resists artificial distinctions.

From Slate ● Jun. 29, 2026

On debate stages, candidates still draw distinctions with one another, but they also compliment their opponents and highlight areas of agreement.

From Salon ● Jun. 9, 2026

The Truman troupe can be arrogant about these distinctions they make, but their pridefulness is an ingredient of their success.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Related Words

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