differentiation

noun dif·fer·en·ti·a·tion \-ˌren(t)-shē-ˈā-shən\

Definition of DIFFERENTIATION

: the act or process of differentiating

: development from the one to the many, the simple to the complex, or the homogeneous to the heterogeneous

a : modification of body parts for performance of particular functions

b : the sum of the processes whereby apparently indifferent or unspecialized cells, tissues, and structures attain their adult form and function

: the processes by which various rock types are produced from a common magma

See differentiation defined for kids

First Known Use of DIFFERENTIATION

1802

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

Rhymes with DIFFERENTIATION

characterization, circumnavigation, commercialization, criminalization, cross-examination, de-Stalinization, decentralization, declassification, decontamination, dehumanization, demystification, deterioration, disassociation, disorientation, disorganization, disqualification, diversification, electrification, excommunication, exemplification, experimentation, extemporization, externalization, generalization, homogenization, hospitalization, hyperventilation, idealization, identification, indemnification, indetermination, indiscrimination, individuation, insubordination, intensification, intermediation, italicization, masculinization, megacorporation, militarization, miniaturization, misappropriation, miscommunication, misinterpretation, misrepresentation, monopolization, nonproliferation, overcompensation, overpopulation, personification, popularization, predetermination, ratiocination, rationalization, recapitulation, reconciliation, reconsideration, rehabilitation, reinterpretation, reorganization, revitalization, secularization, solidification, tintinnabulation, transubstantiation, underestimation, undervaluation, visualization

DIFFERENTIATION Defined for Kids

differentiation

noun dif·fer·en·ti·a·tion \ˌdi-fə-ˌren-shē-ˈā-shən\

Definition of DIFFERENTIATION for Kids

: the process of change by which immature living structures develop to maturity

Medical Dictionary

differentiation

noun dif·fer·en·ti·a·tion \-ˌren-chē-ˈā-shən\

Medical Definition of DIFFERENTIATION

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

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 2