distinction
pronunciation
How to pronounce distinction in British English:
UK [dɪˈstɪŋkʃn]
How to pronounce distinction in American English:
US [dɪˈstɪŋkʃn]
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- Noun:
- a discrimination between things as different and distinct
- high status importance owing to marked superiority
- a distinguishing quality
- a distinguishing difference
Word Origin
- distinction (n.)
- c. 1200, "one of the parts into which something is divided;" mid-14c. as "action of distinguishing," from Old French distinction and directly from Latin distinctionem (nominative distinctio) "separation, distinction, discrimination," noun of action from past participle stem of distinguere (see distinguish). Meaning "distinctive nature or character" is late 14c. Meaning "excellence or eminence" (what distinguishes from others) is first recorded 1690s.
Example
- 1. Photography often blurs the distinction between art and reality .
- 2. The distinction between confidence and justified confidence is critical .
- 3. They did , and jean served with distinction .
- 4. He had been knighted in 1998 and was very proud of the distinction .
- 5. So far , his biggest policy distinction has been on afghanistan .