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
Examples of spec in a Sentence
Noun
parts built according to spec
Recent Examples on the Web
IEEE Spectrum, 18 Nov. 2023
The watch’s under-the-hood specs might prove useful for extended days on set.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 14 Nov. 2023
In the same way as Japanese performance coupes and sedans of the late 80s and early 90s used to display their engine specs on side panels—like twin cam, dohc, 4WD and 2.0L turbo—the Hyper-Force wears its specs proudly on the side just in front of the rear wheels.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
It was released alongside a new version of the fancier Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which has better specs and is arguably a better buy, but the Max model is only discounted by $5 right now (dropping it to $44.99) — making the delta between the two streaming sticks a little more pronounced.
—Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 2 Nov. 2023
Schut also was the original writer of The Last Voyage of the Demeter, which took a 20-year journey from spec script to the screen and was released by Universal this past summer.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Oct. 2023
As for the hardware specs, this is an aluminum and glass box that runs some kind of eight-core, 2.1 GHz Qualcomm processor.
—Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 10 Nov. 2023
Pay closer attention to the specs like CADR and room size, which tell you more about an air purifier’s efficacy.
—Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2023
Outside of the screen size, resolution and improved speakers, its specs and features are identical to the 13-inch laptop.
—Christian De Looper, wsj.com, 1 Nov. 2023
Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 15 Aug. 2023
For serious clients, Gulfstream will build a single seat to spec and deliver it to their office or home for a trial run.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 2 July 2023
Anyone with an internet connection and a dream can spec a big-dollar item online—cars, yachts, and aircraft are all fair game in the virtual world.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 2 July 2023
Even the banquettes, which look as if they were ripped out of a diner, were built to spec before being painted and delicately slipcovered, and the central shelving system, which could have been in my grandfather’s den, was constructed from a shipping palette, among other materials.
—Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2023
Attractive new styling, more ways to spec the hybrid powertrain, spacious cabin.
—Car and Driver, 22 Feb. 2023
What to Consider Safety Standards Some work boots are made to spec for different trades, but the general minimum requirement at most job sites is toe protection.
—Danny Perez, Popular Mechanics, 13 Apr. 2023
As if the 1s didn’t already stand out in a crowd, customers can spec their builds according to personal preference.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2023
Now Porsche is showing off three exclusive wraps that lucky owners can spec their 911 Dakar in to emulate the race cars that competed in the 1971, 1974, and 1978 editions of the East African Safari Rally.
—Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 10 Jan. 2023
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Noun
Again hewing to the Air’s spec, the Gravity Dream Edition should feature the larger of Lucid’s two battery packs, with 118 kW spread over 22 modules.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Nov. 2023
The watch’s under-the-hood specs might prove useful for extended days on set.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 14 Nov. 2023
In the same way as Japanese performance coupes and sedans of the late 80s and early 90s used to display their engine specs on side panels—like twin cam, dohc, 4WD and 2.0L turbo—the Hyper-Force wears its specs proudly on the side just in front of the rear wheels.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
It was released alongside a new version of the fancier Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which has better specs and is arguably a better buy, but the Max model is only discounted by $5 right now (dropping it to $44.99) — making the delta between the two streaming sticks a little more pronounced.
—Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 2 Nov. 2023
Schut also was the original writer of The Last Voyage of the Demeter, which took a 20-year journey from spec script to the screen and was released by Universal this past summer.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Oct. 2023
As for the hardware specs, this is an aluminum and glass box that runs some kind of eight-core, 2.1 GHz Qualcomm processor.
—Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 10 Nov. 2023
Pay closer attention to the specs like CADR and room size, which tell you more about an air purifier’s efficacy.
—Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2023
Outside of the screen size, resolution and improved speakers, its specs and features are identical to the 13-inch laptop.
—Christian De Looper, wsj.com, 1 Nov. 2023
Verb
Those seeking to maximize towing capacity should spec the V-8, which can tow 7200 pounds; V-6 models carry a 6200-pound tow rating.
—Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 15 Aug. 2023
For serious clients, Gulfstream will build a single seat to spec and deliver it to their office or home for a trial run.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 2 July 2023
Anyone with an internet connection and a dream can spec a big-dollar item online—cars, yachts, and aircraft are all fair game in the virtual world.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 2 July 2023
Even the banquettes, which look as if they were ripped out of a diner, were built to spec before being painted and delicately slipcovered, and the central shelving system, which could have been in my grandfather’s den, was constructed from a shipping palette, among other materials.
—Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2023
Attractive new styling, more ways to spec the hybrid powertrain, spacious cabin.
—Car and Driver, 22 Feb. 2023
What to Consider Safety Standards Some work boots are made to spec for different trades, but the general minimum requirement at most job sites is toe protection.
—Danny Perez, Popular Mechanics, 13 Apr. 2023
As if the 1s didn’t already stand out in a crowd, customers can spec their builds according to personal preference.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2023
Now Porsche is showing off three exclusive wraps that lucky owners can spec their 911 Dakar in to emulate the race cars that competed in the 1971, 1974, and 1978 editions of the East African Safari Rally.
—Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 10 Jan. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spec.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing spec
Dictionary Entries Near spec
Cite this Entry
“Spec.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spec. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
spec
nounˈspek
: specification sense 2a
—usually used in plural
Legal Definition
spec
transitive verbˈspek
specced or spec'd
ˈspekt 
; speccing
; speccing
ˈspe-kiŋ
: to write specifications for
More from Merriam-Webster on spec
Britannica English: Translation of spec for Arabic Speakers
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