Other

distinction

Definition of distinction

1a difference or contrast between similar things or people:there is a sharp distinction between domestic politics and international politics I was completely unaware of class distinctions
[mass noun] the separation of people or things into different groups according to their characteristics:high interest rates strike down, without distinction, small businesses and the unemployed

2 [mass noun] excellence that sets someone or something apart from others:a novelist of distinction
[count noun] a decoration or honour awarded to someone:he gained the highest distinction awarded for excellence in photography
[count noun] a grade in an examination denoting excellence:she gained a distinction in her diplomaCompare with merit.

Phrases

distinction without a difference: an artificially created distinction where no real difference exists.

Middle English (in the sense 'subdivision, category'): via Old French from Latin distinctio(n-), from the verb distinguere (see distinguish)

Definition of distinction in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

More results for distinction