specify

verb

spec·i·fy | \ ˈspe-sə-ˌfī

specified; specifying

Definition of specify

transitive verb

1 : to name or state explicitly or in detail

2 : to include as an item in a specification

Other Words from specify Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about specify

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Other Words from specify

specifiable \ ˌspe-sə-ˈfī-ə-bəl

\ adjective

specifier \ ˈspe-sə-ˌfī(-ə)r

\ noun

Examples of specify in a Sentence

Can you specify the cause of the argument? Specify the color and quantity when you order. He clearly specified California wine. The instructions do not specify what kind of screws to use. All subscriptions are for one year unless otherwise specified. At the specified time, we rang the bell. She agreed to the terms specified in the contract.

Recent Examples on the Web

Apple did not specify how many iPhone X devices might be affected by this display problem. — Valentina Palladino, Ars Technica, "Apple to replace unresponsive iPhone X touchscreens for free," 12 Nov. 2018 Obviously, some beauty searches don’t require specifying a skin tone. — Marci Robin, Allure, "Pinterest Now Lets You Filter by Skin Tone for Beauty Searches," 27 Apr. 2018 Engine fasteners, like head bolts or main cap bolts, are often specified to be torqued with 30-weight engine oil wetting the threads and washer. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "How to Use a Torque Wrench to Keep Your Car from Flying Apart," 26 Feb. 2019 It wasn't specified whether it would be added for the 91st Academy Awards this February. — Fox News, "Oscars announce new popular film category," 8 Aug. 2018 The shop manual will specify whether the fastener is supposed to be dry or lubed. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "How to Use a Torque Wrench to Keep Your Car from Flying Apart," 26 Feb. 2019 The unions did not specify when or what type of action would be taken. — John Raby, The Seattle Times, "Dozens speak against education bill in West Virginia," 11 Feb. 2019 The regulation specifies that large public transit agencies must develop a plan to meet CARB's goal, and submit it to the board by 2020. — Megan Geuss, Ars Technica, "California transit agencies have 21 years to build zero-emissions bus fleets," 16 Dec. 2018 As Talmudic scholar Rabbi Pinchas Allouche explained to Planet Money, the Talmud explicitly specifies that signatures are required to legitimize a contract. — Rachel Sugar, Vox, "Why are we still signing credit card receipts?," 5 Dec. 2018

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