feature

Formsfeatures, featuring, featured

Pluralfeatures

1. 1
   have in itverbtransitive

   To include or show someone or something as an important or prominent part.

   The new exhibition features works by emerging photographers.

   Festivals like this feature dozens of independent films each year.

2. 2
   characteristicnouncountable

   A distinctive part, quality, or characteristic of something, such as a landscape, a picture, or a piece of writing.

   The river's winding path is the most striking feature of the whole valley.

   Critics praised the novel's loose structure as one of its boldest features.

   UsageUsually a feature of something, often ranked: the most striking feature of the valley, one of its best features.

   Similarcharacteristic, trait, quality, attribute, hallmark

   Note

   Unlike the parts of a face, it fits almost anything with a structure or distinct character: landscapes, treaties, essays, even eras.

3. 3
   software functionnouncountable

   A useful capability built into a piece of software.

   The latest update adds a feature for sharing files across devices.

   Developers spent months refining the program's search features.

   UsageUpdates add features; a program has a feature for doing something: a feature for sharing files.

   Similarfunction, capability, tool, option

   Note

   Software vocabulary keeps the word on the positive side. A feature is something a program is meant to do and does usefully, which is why updates are said to add features and products are compared by them. In Sam Williams' Free as in Freedom (2002), a program's internal feature lets a user update display text after each keystroke: a capability, not a component. Source

   Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

   • Sam Williams wrote Free as in Freedom, first published in 2002. oreilly.com
   • The book describes an internal software feature that updates display text after each command keystroke. oreilly.com
4. 4
   appear inverbintransitive

   To appear or play a prominent part in something.

   Strong female leads feature in many of his novels.

   Local landmarks featured prominently in the documentary.

   Usagefeature in or on something, often with prominently or heavily: featured prominently in the film.

   Similarfigure, appear

5. 5
   full-length filmnounabbreviationellipsis

   Short for feature film.

   The studio released its biggest feature of the year in December.

   Critics gathered to review the festival's opening feature.

   Note

   Here the modifier has swallowed its noun: feature film shortened to feature. The name comes from the old cinema program, where the full-length film was the main attraction after a short and often a newsreel. Today it plays after the trailers. Broadly, any film long enough to be the main presentation counts, even one that premieres on streaming, and the term still echoes the "main item" meaning. Source

   Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 4 facts

   • Feature is a shortened form of feature film. en.wiktionary.org
   • The name refers to the main film in a cinema program that also included shorts and often a newsreel. en.wikipedia.org
   • The feature ordinarily follows the trailers in modern cinema programs. en.wiktionary.org
   • A feature film can premiere on a streaming service. about.netflix.com
6. 6
   long articlenouncountable

   A long, prominent article or item in the media, or the department that produces such pieces.

   The Sunday edition led with a feature on urban farming.

   He moved from hard news to writing long features.

   UsageUsually a feature on or about a topic: a feature on urban farming. Also before a noun: a feature writer.

   Similararticle, story, piece

   Note

   Newsrooms draw a line between news, which reports what has just happened, and features, which give room to a profile, an interview or an issue. The word names both the piece and the desk that produces it. Calling something a feature signals length and angle rather than urgency.

7. 7
   guest spotnouncountable

   An appearance as a guest performer on another artist's track or recording.

   The album closes with a feature from a soul legend.

   The singer turned down a feature on the rapper's new track because of a scheduling conflict.

   UsageUsually a feature on a track, or a feature from or by a guest artist.

   Similarcameo

   Note

   The noun here is made from the verb to star or include: a track that features a guest gives that guest a feature. Because it counts appearances, a performer can have several features on one album. The word names the guest's contribution, not the song as a whole, and it is the musician's own shorthand for such collaborations.

8. 8
   nouncountable

   An important or main item within a set, show, or collection.

   The keynote speech was the central feature of the conference.

   Several special features rounded out the evening's program.

   UsageOften the main feature or the central feature of an event or program.

   Similarhighlight, attraction, centerpiece

Showing meanings only. Show all 16