differentiation
noun
dif·fer·en·ti·a·tion
ˌdi-fə-ˌren(t)-shē-ˈā-shən 
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
Market leaders such as Salesforce and Zoom demonstrate how product marketing directly connects solutions to specific customer pain points, creating clear differentiation in crowded markets.
—
Joe Ariganello, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
The longer there’s no viable AI alternative on iPhone to Google’s full Gemini advances, the more the focus falls away from security and privacy given the feature differentiation.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
The brands already in this space have demonstrated that differentiation is critical.
—Natalie Dolphin, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Convenience matters, but differentiation is key.
—Natalie Dolphin, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for differentiation
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.
Joe Ariganello, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
The longer there’s no viable AI alternative on iPhone to Google’s full Gemini advances, the more the focus falls away from security and privacy given the feature differentiation.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
The brands already in this space have demonstrated that differentiation is critical.
—Natalie Dolphin, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Convenience matters, but differentiation is key.
—Natalie Dolphin, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for differentiation
Cite this Entry
“Differentiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/differentiation. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
differentiation
noun
dif·fer·en·ti·a·tion
ˌdif-ə-ˌren-chē-ˈā-shən
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
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share