specification

noun spec·i·fi·ca·tion \ ˌspe-sə-fə-ˈkā-shən , ˌspes-fə- \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Definition of specification

1 : the act or process of specifying

2 a : a detailed precise presentation of something or of a plan or proposal for something —usually used in plural

b : a statement of legal particulars (as of charges or of contract terms); also : a single item of such statement

c : a written description of an invention for which a patent is sought

See specification defined for English-language learners

See specification defined for kids

Recent Examples of specification from the Web

The scooters are manufactured in China to the company's design specifications.

— eric newcomer and brad stone, chicagotribune.com, "Uber will rent scooters through its app in partnership with Lime," 9 July 2018
In a statement Friday, ZF-TRW said the air bag control units sent to Kia were designed and built according to Kia specifications.

— tom krisher, BostonGlobe.com, "Kia recalls over 500,000 vehicles; air bags may not inflate," 8 June 2018
The company told Fontanka that the bottle conforms to safety specifications and includes a warning to store in a dark area.

— dan gartland, SI.com, "Watch: Russian Company’s Novelty World Cup Water Bottle Sets Things on Fire," 31 May 2018
For those who can afford almost twice the price of a normal vehicle, McLaren Special Operations can produce a one-off custom car to specifications at company headquarters in Woking, England.

— evan ortiz, Bloomberg.com, "The Best Luxury Photos From February," 1 Mar. 2018
There’s a blast furnace, but there is also the production of pig iron, an intermediate product; the continuous caster, which creates large slabs; and the rolling mill, which flattens those slabs to a customer’s specifications.

— glenn kessler, Washington Post, "President Trump announces a major U.S. Steel expansion — that isn’t happening," 28 June 2018
County officials said the company submitted the lowest bid while meeting project specifications.

— karen zurawski, Houston Chronicle, "Precinct 3 to upgrade Katy-area roads," 26 June 2018
Now, some Dunkin’ shops use digital refractometers to determine if coffee meets specifications.

— eric morath, WSJ, "Short of Workers, Fast-Food Restaurants Turn to Robots," 24 June 2018
That’s because the chicken arrives pre-marinated to the restaurant from the processing plant according to Knott’s specifications.

— arthur levine, USA TODAY, "Knott's Berry Farm: Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant stays true to its past," 6 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'specification.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of specification

1633

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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SPECIFICATION Defined for English Language Learners

specification

noun

Definition of specification for English Language Learners

: a detailed description of work to be done or materials to be used in a project : an instruction that says exactly how to do or make something

SPECIFICATION Defined for Kids

specification

noun spec·i·fi·ca·tion \ ˌspe-sə-fə-ˈkā-shən \

Definition of specification for Students

1 : the act or process of mentioning exactly and clearly

2 : a single item exactly and clearly mentioned

3 : a description of work to be done or materials to be used —often used in pl.

building specifications

Law Dictionary

specification

noun spec·i·fi·ca·tion \ ˌspe-sə-fə-ˈkā-shən \

legal Definition of specification

: a detailed precise presentation of something or of a plan or proposal for something: as

a : a written statement containing a description of particulars (as of charges or contract terms)

b : a written description of an invention or discovery for which a patent is sought that embodies the manner and process of making and using the invention or discovery and concludes with a claim of that aspect for which the applicant demands credit

c : a written description of construction work to be done forming part of the contract —usually used in pl.