# distinction

/dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/ (US) · /dɪstˈɪŋkʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/distinction
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a difference

noun · CEFR B2

a clear difference between two similar things.

For teachers: a discrimination or separation between two or more things based on their differences.

- There is a sharp distinction between being famous and being respected.
- The law makes a clear distinction between accidental damage and intentional vandalism, applying different penalties for each.

### 2. excellence

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the quality of being excellent or special.

For teachers: the quality of being outstanding or superior; a mark of honor or high achievement.

- She served her country with distinction for over thirty years.
- The professor was awarded a medal of distinction for his groundbreaking research into renewable energy sources.

### 3. academic grade

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a very high grade in an exam or course.

For teachers: a specific grade or award conferred for high performance in an academic or professional examination.

- He was thrilled to pass his piano exam with distinction.
- To graduate with distinction, students must maintain a high grade point average and complete an original thesis project.

## Examples

- There is a sharp distinction between these two laws.
- The researcher made a clear distinction between the two species based on their unique wing patterns.
- The university awarded him a medal of distinction for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of theoretical physics over the last decade.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.