technicality

noun

tech·​ni·​cal·​i·​ty ˌtek-nə-ˈka-lə-tē 

plural technicalities

1

: something technical

especially : a detail meaningful only to a specialist

a legal technicality

2

: the quality or state of being technical

Examples of technicality in a Sentence

These cases were dropped because of legal technicalities.

Recent Examples on the Web

That the gate between our world and the Upside Down in the Hawkins Laboratory basement is technically shut at this point in the master narrative is a mere technicality that’s easily handwaved. —Alison Herman, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026

There is only an outdated technicality that forces grocery stores to heat chickens and cool them back down just to comply, wasting energy, degrading quality, and adding cost. —Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026

That distinction is not a technicality. —Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026

King has been working ever since then to bring a Michael Jackson film to theatres, and now only technicalities remained. —Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

technical entry 1 + -ity

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for technicality

• abnormality
• cardinality
• commonality
• communality
• cordiality
• corporeality
• criminality
• criticality
• functionality
• generality
• geniality
• hospitality

Kids Definition

technicality

noun

tech·​ni·​cal·​i·​ty ˌtek-nə-ˈkal-ət-ē 

plural technicalities

1

: something technical

especially : a detail that means something only to a specialist

a legal technicality

2

: the quality or state of being technical