From Middle English distinccioun, from Old French distinction (attested from the 12th century), borrowed from Latin distinctio, action noun of distinguō.

• IPA: /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/

distinction

1. That which distinguishes; a single occurrence of a determining factor or feature, the fact of being divided; separation, discrimination.
2. The act of distinguishing, discriminating; discrimination.

   There is a distinction to be made between resting and slacking.

3. A feature that causes someone or something to stand out from others of its type.
   1. (specifically) A feature that causes someone or something to stand out as being better; a mark of honour, rank, eminence or excellence; the quality of being distinguished.

      She had the distinction of meeting the Queen.

      • 1921, Ben Travers, chapter 2, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC ↗:

        Mother […] considered that the exclusiveness of Peter's circle was due not to its distinction, but to the fact that it was an inner Babylon of prodigality and whoredom, from which every Kensingtonian held aloof, except on the conventional tip-and-run excursions in pursuit of shopping, tea and theatres.

• (antonym(s) of “that which distinguishes”): confusion

• distinct
• distinguish
• distinguished
• distinguishable
• distinguishness
• distinctive

• French: distinction, différence
• German: Unterschied
• Portuguese: distinção
• Russian: разли́чие
• Spanish: distinción

• German: Distinktion
• Russian: разграниче́ние

• German: Auszeichnung
• Portuguese: distinção
• Russian: отли́чие
• Spanish: distinción