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
Scalable Growth And Competitive Differentiation One effective strategy to increase venture capital investment in your business is to demonstrate a clear path to scalable growth with defensible market differentiation.
—
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Wnt signals help maintain a balance between stem cell self-renewal (keeping enough stem cells in the crypts) and differentiation (turning some stem cells into specialized cells that make up the lining of the intestine).
—New Atlas, 24 July 2025
These are still critical ingredients to creating differentiation and competitive advantage.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune, 23 July 2025
That’s because the equations rely on a technique from calculus called differentiation that measures how quickly functions change, and differentiation is no longer possible in settings that are far from smooth.
—Quanta Magazine, 16 July 2025
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Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Wnt signals help maintain a balance between stem cell self-renewal (keeping enough stem cells in the crypts) and differentiation (turning some stem cells into specialized cells that make up the lining of the intestine).
—New Atlas, 24 July 2025
These are still critical ingredients to creating differentiation and competitive advantage.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune, 23 July 2025
That’s because the equations rely on a technique from calculus called differentiation that measures how quickly functions change, and differentiation is no longer possible in settings that are far from smooth.
—Quanta Magazine, 16 July 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 29 Jul. 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
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