differential

1 of 2

adjective

1
a
: of, relating to, or constituting a difference : distinguishing
differential characteristics
b
: making a distinction between individuals or classes
differential tax rates
c
: based on or resulting from a differential
d
: functioning or proceeding differently or at a different rate
differential melting
2
mathematics : being, relating to, or involving a differential (see differential entry 2 sense 1) or differentiation
3
physics
a
: relating to quantitative differences (as of motion or pressure)
b
: producing effects by reason of quantitative differences

differential

2 of 2

noun

1
mathematics
a
: the product (see product sense 1) of the derivative of a function of one variable by the increment of the independent variable
b
: a sum of products in which each product consists of a partial derivative of a given function of several variables multiplied by the corresponding increment and which contains as many products as there are independent variables in the function
2
: a difference between comparable individuals or classes
a price differential
also : the amount of such a difference
3
a
: a drivetrain gear assembly connecting two collinear shafts or axles (such as those of the rear wheels of an automobile) and permitting one shaft to revolve faster than the other
a locking rear differential
b
: a case covering such an assembly

Examples of differential in a Sentence

Adjective did away with differential pay scales for men and women doing the same work
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The team hopes this work on differential privacy scaling laws will help others efficiently allocate resources to train private AI models. Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025 Over 300,000 managers have now parted company with Isak, putting him in differential territory, in just 5.3 per cent of sides. Holly Shand, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
Cleanroom environments in pharmaceuticals and electronics demand even tighter standards, using multistage filtration, strict material controls and pressure differentials to manage airborne contamination. Anan Bishara, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025 For now, though, the company's first differential privacy model is an experiment. Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for differential

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin differentiālis, from Latin differentia difference entry 1 + -ālis -al entry 1

Noun

noun derivative of differential entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of differential was in 1615

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Differential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/differential. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

differential

1 of 2 adjective
1
a
: of, relating to, or being a difference
b
: treating some individuals or classes differently from others : discriminatory
2
: acting or proceeding differently or at a different rate
differential diffusion of molecules through a membrane

differential

2 of 2 noun
1
: an amount or degree of difference between comparable things
the price differential between a small and large box of popcorn
2
: an arrangement of gears in an automobile that allows one wheel to turn faster than another (as in going around a curve)

Medical Definition

differential

adjective
1
: of, relating to, or constituting a difference
differential birth rates in different economic levels
2
: making a distinction between individuals or classes
differential cell counts
differential staining

More from Merriam-Webster on differential

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