distinction.

1. A difference that separates one thing or category from another.

2. A quality or achievement that sets someone apart for excellence.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• important distinction
• distinction between concepts

On the page

The essay makes an important distinction between access and participation.

Usage notes

Primary category: academic / formal. Forms: Singular distinction; plural distinctions. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: analysis, explanation, qualification. Commonness: moderately common.