FluentPlex

distinction

/dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/ noun B1
  1. That which distinguishes; a single occurrence of a determining factor or feature, the fact of being divided; separation, discrimination. (countable, uncountable)
  2. The act of distinguishing, discriminating; discrimination. (countable, uncountable) · There is a distinction to be made between resting and slacking.· We must always make a distinction that right versus wrong is different from legal and illegal.
  3. A feature that causes someone or something to stand out from others of its type. (countable, uncountable)
  4. A feature that causes someone or something to stand out as being better; a mark of honour, rank, eminence or excellence; the quality of being distinguished. (countable, uncountable) · She had the distinction of meeting the Queen.

Plural distinctions

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From the library

“Oh,” said Monte Cristo, “my fondness may blind me, but I assure you I consider Morcerf a charming young man who will render your daughter happy and will sooner or later attain a certain amount of distinction, and his father’s position is good.”
The Count of Monte Cristo, p. 785 · C1
The distinction had, perhaps, been felt too strongly.
Pride and Prejudice, p. 17 · B2
It is something to think of, and gives her a sort of distinction among her companions.
Pride and Prejudice, p. 160 · B2
She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved.”
Pride and Prejudice, p. 186 · B2

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Words, meanings, pronunciations and translations from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0); how common each word is from wordfreq. Made into this dictionary by FluentPlex.