Definition 1 of 2
Plain English Meaning
How well a piece of equipment can tell two close-together signals or readings apart. Better discrimination means it can pick out finer differences without mixing them up.
Full Definition
The ability of a receiver, instrument, or sensor to distinguish between two signals or values that are close together in frequency, amplitude, or some other measurable quantity. A system with good discrimination can separate a desired signal from a nearby unwanted one, or detect small differences between two readings.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of aircraft radios, navigation equipment, radar, and any system that must separate one signal or target from another.
Derivation
From the Latin discriminare, meaning 'to separate' or 'to distinguish between.' In electronics, the word is used in this original technical sense -- separating one thing from another -- not in the everyday social sense.