dis·tinc·tion

dis·tinc·tion
/dıˈstıŋkʃən/ noun, pl -tions
1 [count] : a difference that you can see, hear, smell, feel, etc. : a noticeable difference between things or people

These dogs are different breeds, but this distinction is lost on most people. [=most people do not see a difference between these dogs]

There are no obvious distinctions between the two designs.

distinctions between social classes

She made/drew a distinction between the words “less” and “fewer.”

2 [noncount] : the separation of people or things into different groups

The law should be enforced without distinction as to race, sex, or religion. [=the law should not treat people of different races, sexes, or religions differently]

3 [noncount] : importance, excellence, or achievement

He was raised in a small town of no great distinction.

Her talents gave distinction to the work.

She was a politician of some distinction. [=she was a distinguished politician]

4 : a special honor, recognition, or award
[count]

She's won many distinctions.

(Brit) She was awarded a distinction for her dissertation.

[noncount]

They should give him the distinction he deserves.

He graduated with distinction. [=with special awards or recognition]

5 [noncount] : the quality that makes a person or thing special or different
— + of

It had the distinction of being the oldest house in the city.

The city bears the dubious distinction of being the most polluted in the nation.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • con|tra|dis|tinc|tion — «KON truh dihs TIHNGK shuhn», noun. distinction by opposition or contrast: »Today we cross the continent in airplanes in contradistinction to the slow covered wagons of our ancestors …   Useful english dictionary

  • in|dis|tinc|tion — «IHN dihs TIHNGK shuhn», noun. 1. lack of distinction or discrimination; failure to distinguish. 2. absence of distinction or difference; being indistinguishable. 3. absence of distinction or eminence …   Useful english dictionary

  • dis|tinc|tion — …   Useful english dictionary

  • tinc — dis·tinc·tio; dis·tinc·tion; dis·tinc·tion·less; dis·tinc·tive·ly; dis·tinc·tive·ness; ex·tinc·teur; ex·tinc·tion; ex·tinc·tive; in·tinc·tion; tinc·tion; tinc·to·ri·al; dis·tinc·tive; tinc·ture; tinc·to·ri·al·ly; …   English syllables

  • tion — ab·bre·vi·a·tion; ab·di·ca·tion; ab·duc·tion; ab·er·ra·tion; ab·er·ra·tion·al; ab·jec·tion; ab·junc·tion; ab·ju·ra·tion; ab·lac·ta·tion; ab·la·tion; ab·lu·tion; ab·mi·gra·tion; ab·ne·ga·tion; ab·o·li·tion; ab·o·li·tion·ary; ab·o·li·tion·dom;… …   English syllables

  • dis — dis·accord; dis·advantage; dis·affect; dis·aggregate; dis·ap·pear; dis·array; dis·bar; dis·burse; dis·card; dis·charge; dis·ci·ple; dis·ci·pli·nar·i·an; dis·ci·pline; dis·claim; dis·close; dis·co; dis·co·glos·sid; dis·coid; dis·coi·dal;… …   English syllables

  • distinction — dis·tinc·tion …   English syllables

  • distinction — dis|tinc|tion W2S3 [dıˈstıŋkʃən] n ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(difference)¦ 2¦(excellence)¦ 3¦(being special)¦ 4¦(result)¦ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1.) ¦(DIFFERENCE)¦ [U and C] a clear difference or separation between two similar things distinction between ▪ the distinction… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • distinction — dis|tinc|tion [ dı stıŋkʃən ] noun *** 1. ) count a difference between two things: In practice, these distinctions are often blurred (=not made very clear). distinction between: Do other countries have the same distinction between amateur and… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • distinctionless — dis·tinc·tion·less …   English syllables

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