differentiation
n. uncountablen. the process of becoming different or distinct. You use this when describing how things change to become unique or separate from others.
n. the process by which cells, tissues, or concepts develop distinct characteristics and functions; the act of distinguishing between similar items.
Cell differentiation creates different types of body tissue.
The teacher used differentiation to tailor lessons for each student's learning style.
The differentiation of embryonic cells into specialized tissues is a complex process governed by genetic signals and environmental cues.
From differentiate + -ion, from different + -iate, from differ + -ent, from Middle English differen, from Old French differer, from Latin differō (“carry apart, put off, defer; differ”), from dis- (“apart”) + ferō (“carry, bear”); cognate with Ancient Greek διαφέρω (diaphérō, “to differ”).