stipulate

1 of 2

verb

stip·​u·​late ˈsti-pyə-ˌlāt 

stipulated; stipulating

intransitive verb

1

: to make an agreement or covenant to do or forbear something : contract

2

: to demand an express term in an agreement

—used with for

transitive verb

1

: to specify as a condition or requirement (as of an agreement or offer)

2

: to give a guarantee of

stipulator

ˈsti-pyə-ˌlā-tər 

noun

stipulate

2 of 2

adjective

stip·​u·​late ˈsti-pyə-lət 

: having stipules

Did you know?

Like many terms used in the legal profession, stipulate has its roots in Latin. It derives from stipulatus, the past participle of stipulari, a verb meaning "to demand a guarantee (from a prospective debtor)." Stipulate has been a part of the English language since the 17th century. In Roman law, oral contracts were deemed valid only if they followed a proper question-and-answer format; stipulate was sometimes used specifically of this same process of contract making, though it also could be used more generally for any means of making a contract or agreement. The "to specify as a condition or requirement" meaning of stipulate also dates to the 17th century, and is the sense of the word most often encountered in current use.

Synonyms

Verb

• call (for)
• claim
• clamor (for)
• command
• demand
• enjoin
• exact
• insist (on)
• press (for)
• quest

Examples of stipulate in a Sentence

Verb

The cease-fire was stipulated by the treaty.

The rules stipulate that players must wear uniforms.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The current rules also stipulate that pickoff attempts or step-offs will be limited to two per plate appearance. —Chantz Martin, Fox News, 1 Sep. 2023

So what exactly does this bill stipulate, and why did Apple throw its weight behind it? —IEEE Spectrum, 30 Aug. 2023

Meyers pled guilty to all charges according to La Crosse County Circuit Court records, in exchange for a plea agreement stipulating a three-year suspension of his Wisconsin hunting and fishing privileges. —Outdoor Life, 16 Aug. 2023

The new approval stipulates that the temple cannot exceed 30 feet — the standard for the residential area where the temple would be built — rejecting a ruling by Cody city planner Todd Stowell that the steeple should not count toward the temple’s full height. —Scott D. Pierce, The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Aug. 2023

Although most law enforcement practices are local, the Department of Justice offers federal grants to state and local law enforcement and could attach conditions to these funds stipulating how to use the technology. —WIRED, 25 July 2023

Much of that is due to a law that was passed in France in 1994 which stipulated a minimum number of songs played on the radio that had to be sung in French. —Mischa Pearlman, Spin, 31 Aug. 2023

Hilma af Klint only showed her conventional paintings during her lifetime, stipulating that her abstract, spiritualist art not be seen for at least 20 years after her death in 1944; in 2018–19, her solo show broke attendance records at the Guggenheim. —Jillian Steinhauer, The New Republic, 21 Aug. 2023

The attorneys assert that Christine has avoided answering key questions throughout the discovery process ahead of a November trial to determine the validity of the prenup, which stipulated a $1.5 million payout for Christine. —Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 19 Aug. 2023

Adjective

Federal guidelines stipulate hospitals should report staffed inpatient and ICU beds to the Department of Health and Human Services. —Daniel Funke, USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2021

The Browns are currently working through protocols in the wake of new NFL guidelines that stipulate fans must remain 20 feet from players at all times. —cleveland, 20 June 2021

To address this, some schools were willing stipulate achievements on the assumption that games were played. —Erick Smith, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2021

There are some interesting financial implications in the contract that stipulate cancellations of games could lead to payment of $500,000 of the canceling teams. —Sam Blum, Dallas News, 11 Aug. 2020

The terms of that agreement stipulate partners can withdraw early without financial penalty after giving 30-day notice. —oregonlive, 19 June 2020

See More

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin stipulatus, past participle of stipulari to demand a guarantee (from a prospective debtor)

Adjective

New Latin stipula

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1624, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adjective

circa 1776, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

stipulate

verb

stip·​u·​late

ˈstip-yə-ˌlāt

stipulated; stipulating

: to demand or insist on as part of an agreement

Legal Definition

stipulate

verb

stip·​u·​late ˈsti-pyə-ˌlāt 

stipulated; stipulating

intransitive verb

1

: to make an agreement or covenant about something (as damages)

2

: to demand a particular promise in an agreement

—used with for

may…assume or stipulate for obligations of all kinds

—Louisiana Civil Code

3

: to agree respecting an aspect of legal proceedings

—used with to

stipulated to a dismissal of the claim with prejudice

—National Law Journal

pleaded guilty to the charge of battery and stipulated to the underlying facts

—Luna v. Meinke, 844 F. Supp. 1284 (1994)

transitive verb

1

: to specify especially as a condition or requirement of an agreement

parties may not stipulate the invalidity of statutes or ordinances

—West v. Bank of Commerce & Trusts, 167 F.2d 664 (1948)

the contract stipulated that the lessor was responsible for maintenance

within a stipulated period of time

2

: to establish (procedure or evidence) by agreement during a proceeding

defendant stipulated that evidence was sufficient to support his conspiracy conviction

—National Law Journal

based on stipulated facts

Etymology

Verb

Latin stipulatus, past participle of stipulari to exact (as from a prospective debtor) a formal guarantee when making an oral contract