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

In addition to playing in a more social and less competitive (skill-wise) genre, Jackbox is offering lower-spec games than its AAA competition. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

This will be the fourth car in the history of FE, a championship in which manufacturers build their own electric powertrains that sit inside a spec chassis. — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Verb

Prices start at $25,950 for the base version, and options are all available individually so buyers can precisely custom-spec their builds. — New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026

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

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