distinctive feature

American  

noun

Linguistics.

1. a feature of the sound system of a language that serves as the crucial distinguishing mark between two phonemes, as the distinctive feature of voicing, which distinguishes b from p in English, or nasality, which distinguishes m from b and p.

2. any of a set of phonetic properties, as coronal, nasal, or strident, serving as a basic unit of phonological analysis by which the sounds that are significant in a language can be characterized and distinguished from one another.

3. a component or phonetic feature characterizing a phoneme.

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Etymology

Origin of distinctive feature

First recorded in 1925–30

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

distinctive feature

Wolfe Herd built Bumble's brand around a distinctive feature that only allowed women to initiate conversations with matches.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

A distinctive feature of this new alliance is that it unites two organisations with different agendas, said Jean-Herve Jezequel, the head of the Sahel project at the International Crisis Group.

From Barron's ● Apr. 27, 2026

The figures’ long, elegant fingers are a distinctive feature of Bohemian Gothic art, as are the tight blond curls framing the round faces of Mary, Jesus and the angel.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 26, 2025

How such a distinctive feature remained hidden for so long became clear as scientists examined historical research methods.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 19, 2025

“Some distinctive feature is needed,” Burnham continued, “something to take the relative position in the World’s Columbian Exposition that was filled by the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Exposition.”

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

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