technicality

noun

tech·​ni·​cal·​i·​ty ˌtek-nə-ˈka-lə-tē 

plural technicalities

1

: something technical

especially : a detail meaningful only to a specialist

a legal technicality

2

: the quality or state of being technical

Examples of technicality in a Sentence

These cases were dropped because of legal technicalities.

Recent Examples on the Web

The technicality comes in with the timing of the wins. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 7 June 2026

But Hearn fought the case in court and won on a stunning technicality. — Jasmine Baehr , Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

The ruling dealt with legal technicalities but is a departure from a series of decisions by the justices expanding religious freedoms in recent terms. — Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 23 June 2026

Avoid overly complex rules, because most likely the manager, board, and homeowners alike will not remember all the technicalities in a lengthy complicated rule set. — Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

technical entry 1 + -ity

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for technicality

• abnormality
• cardinality
• commonality
• communality
• cordiality
• corporeality
• criminality
• criticality
• functionality
• generality
• geniality
• hospitality

Kids Definition

technicality

noun

tech·​ni·​cal·​i·​ty ˌtek-nə-ˈkal-ət-ē 

plural technicalities

1

: something technical

especially : a detail that means something only to a specialist

a legal technicality

2

: the quality or state of being technical