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

According to a spec breakdown posted by Digital Foundry in May, the Switch 2 uses 12 gigabytes of LPDDR5X, a mobile-friendly standard DRAM that was designed to quickly move lots of data without also rapidly draining the handheld battery. —Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026

Weight-savings tactics include aerospace-spec wiring looms that replace the donor cars’ massive units, and save 26 pounds in the process. —Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2026

Verb

Google is expected to spec the Pixel 10a closer to last year’s Pixel 9a than the Pixel 10, including staying on a year-old processor. —Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

Those who'd prefer a more comprehensive design can further spec out the kitchen via other packages, turning it into a capable camper cook station ready to compete with the galley of any small camping rig. —New Atlas, 10 Jan. 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