spec

1 of 3

noun

ˈspek 

1

: specification

—usually used in plural

also : a single quantity (such as a dimension or a measure of performance) describing a product especially as part of a specification

2

: speculation

built the house on spec

spec

2 of 3

verb

specced or spec'd ˈspekt  ; speccing

transitive verb

: to write specifications for

spec

3 of 3

abbreviation

1

special; specialist

2

specifically

Examples of spec in a Sentence

Noun

parts built according to spec

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Retail pricing, tech specs and availability for the new model have not yet been confirmed. —Riley Jones, Footwear News, 22 Jan. 2026

Saturn's largest moons Titan, Dione, Rhea and Tethys will also be visible as bright specs of light extending to one side of the gas giant's disk. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2026

Verb

Instead of hitching up one of its trailers to the MAN tractor cab, Expandable drops its 30-foot Pod directly on the chassis, creating a capable motorhome that specs well above average. —New Atlas, 17 Dec. 2025

Ansari had previously asked him to spec a watch for another feature—a request that gradually drew him into Hollywood consulting. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

by alteration

First Known Use

Noun

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1965, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing spec

• on spec

Rhymes for spec

• beck
• breck
• check
• cheque
• czech
• deck
• fleck
• keck
• mech
• neck
• peck
• reck

Kids Definition

spec

noun

ˈspek

: specification sense 2a

—usually used in plural

Legal Definition

spec

transitive verb

ˈspek

specced or spec'd ˈspekt  ; speccing

ˈspe-kiŋ

: to write specifications for