First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1feature
noun fea·ture \ˈfē-chər\
: an interesting or important part, quality, ability, etc.
: a part of the face (such as the eyes, nose, or mouth)
: a movie that is made to be shown in a theater for entertainment : a full-length movie
Full Definition of FEATURE
1
a : the structure, form, or appearance especially of a person b obsolete : physical beauty
2
a : the makeup or appearance of the face or its parts b : a part of the face : lineament
3
a : a prominent part or characteristic b : any of the properties (as voice or gender) that are characteristic of a grammatical element (as a phoneme or morpheme); especially : one that is distinctive
4
: a special attraction: as a : a featured motion picture b : a featured article, story, or department in a newspaper or magazine c : something offered to the public or advertised as particularly attractive <one of the car's most popular features>
— fea·ture·less \-ləs\ adjective
See feature defined for English-language learners
See feature defined for kids
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Origin of FEATURE
Middle English feture, from Anglo-French, from Latin factura act of making, from factus, past participle of facere to make — more at do
Related to FEATURE
- Synonyms
- affection, attribute, attribution, character, criterion, diagnostic, differentia, characteristic, fingerprint, hallmark, mark, marker, note, particularity, peculiarity, point, property, quality, specific, stamp, touch, trait
2feature
verb
: to have or include (someone or something) as an important part
: to discuss or mention (something or someone) in a noticeable way : to give particular attention to (someone or something important)
fea·turedfea·tur·ing \ˈfēch-riŋ, ˈfē-chər-iŋ\
Full Definition of FEATURE
transitive verb
1
chiefly dialect : to resemble in features
2
: to picture or portray in the mind : imagine
3
a : to give special prominence to <the exhibit features local artists> b : to have as a characteristic or feature <a menu featuring many options>
intransitive verb
: to play an important part
See feature defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FEATURE
circa 1755
Related to FEATURE
- Synonyms
- accent, accentuate, emphasize, foreground, highlight, illuminate, play up, point (up), press, punctuate, stress
- Antonyms
- de-emphasize, play down
FEATURES Defined for Kids
1feature
noun fea·ture \ˈfē-chər\
Definition of FEATURE for Kids
1
: a part (as the nose or the mouth) of the face
2
: something especially noticeable <a safety feature>
3
: movie 1
4
: a special story in a newspaper or magazine
2feature
verb
fea·turedfea·tur·ing
Definition of FEATURE for Kids
1
: to have as a characteristic <The TV features a flat screen.>
2
: to give special prominence to <The newspaper featured a story about the election.>
3
: to play an important part <A bus tour featured in our trip.>
Medical Dictionary
feature
noun fea·ture \ˈfē-chər\
Medical Definition of FEATURE
1
: the structure, form, or appearance especially of a person
2
a : the makeup or appearance of the face or its parts b : a part of the face
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