specification

noun

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

ˌspes-fə-

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

Examples of specification in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Onyx screens are the world’s first cinema LED displays to be certified by the commercial theater world’s Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) consortium – a group of major motion picture studios formed to establish specifications for a common architecture for digital cinema systems. —John Archer, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

From Alix Earle to Lindsay Arnold, see which stars have given the exact specifications about their breast augmentations. —Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 14 June 2025

In February, the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel referred several charges and specifications against Pfc. Johnson, according to a news release at the time. —Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025

While Duffy and the federal government have touted expediting air traffic controller specifications to boost the current fleet, Aimer said that such aspirations are nearsighted. —Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for specification

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

specification

noun

spec·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌspes-(ə-)fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or process of specifying

2

a

: a description of work to be done or materials to be used

—usually used in plural

the architect's specifications for a new building

b

: a single specified item

Legal Definition

specification

noun

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

: 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.