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

The Inevitable Foundation’s Accelerate Fellowship is a six-month intensive that gives disabled film and television writers $40,000 grants and bespoke mentorship to develop a film or television spec script. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 27 June 2025

New specs suggest a brighter screen and a larger battery, albeit with a slightly weaker camera that resembles the Pixel 9a rather than the Pixel 9. —Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

Verb

And if that weren’t enough, buyers could even spec a 7.2-liter version of the Lambo V-12 that was usually reserved for powerboats and made 730 hp. —Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 22 May 2025

Those looking to get up off the ground can further spec up the Highcountry trailer into a more complete camper by selecting from various options. —New Atlas, 9 May 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