differentiation

noun

dif·​fer·​en·​ti·​a·​tion ˌdi-fə-ˌren(t)-shē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce differentiation (audio)
1
: the act or process of differentiating
2
: development from the one to the many, the simple to the complex, or the homogeneous to the heterogeneous
differentiation of Latin into vernaculars
3
biology
a
: modification of body parts for performance of particular functions
b
: the sum of the processes whereby apparently indifferent (see indifferent sense 7) or unspecialized cells, tissues, and structures attain their adult form and function
4
geology : the processes by which various rock types are produced from a common magma

Examples of differentiation in a Sentence

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.
This trend could lead to more differentiation between stock performance in Hong Kong and the U.S., for stocks that are listed in both places. Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025 Case in point: incomplete differentiation is hard to square with the meteorite samples originating from Vesta that researchers have collected. Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025 The differentiation between models is achieved through the design of the cabin. The Editors, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2025 However, the extent to which collecting additional user data has actually led to product differentiation and moats in AI remains limited to date—precisely because AI systems do not actually learn and adapt continuously based on new data. Rob Toews, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for differentiation

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin differentiātiōn-, differentiātiō, from Medieval Latin differentiāre "to distinguish, differentiate" + Latin -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of differentiation was in 1776

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Differentiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/differentiation. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

differentiation

noun
dif·​fer·​en·​ti·​a·​tion ˌdif-ə-ˌren-chē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce differentiation (audio)
1
: the act or process of differentiating
2
: the processes by which cells and tissues develop their specialized adult form and function
also : the result of these processes

Medical Definition

differentiation

noun
dif·​fer·​en·​ti·​a·​tion -ˌren-chē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce differentiation (audio)
1
a
: the act of describing a thing by giving its differentia
b
: the enhancement of microscopically visible differences between tissue or cell parts by partial selective decolorization or removal of excess stain (as in regressive staining)
c
: the development of a discriminating conditioned response with a positive response to one stimulus and absence of the response on the application of similar but discriminably different stimuli
2
a
: modification of different parts of the body for performance of particular functions
also : specialization of parts or organs in the course of evolution
b
: the sum of the developmental processes whereby apparently unspecialized cells, tissues, and structures attain their adult form and function compare determination sense 2
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