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

Laura Bevan, head of brand for running at On, said in a statement that the running category, particularly at the elite end, is typically marketed through the lens of data, specs and split times, and this campaign was created to show another angle. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 30 July 2026

Jimmy Warden penned the script, which originated from his original spec that Universal landed in 2023 with Wilde on board to direct. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 28 July 2026

Verb

The Laptop 13 Pro’s new display is the first one Framework has been able to spec out from scratch rather than using panels originally designed for some other company’s laptop. — ArsTechnica, 21 Apr. 2026

Each 250 is prepared as a versatile multipurpose vessel that can spec up into the ultimate land/water adventure camper for exploring coastlines and islands that can't be accessed via conventional land routes. — New Atlas, 20 Mar. 2026

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