plural technicalities
1
: a small detail in a rule, law, etc., and especially one that forces an unwanted or unexpected result
These cases were dropped because of legal technicalities.
She lost the contest because of a technicality. = She lost the contest on a technicality.
2
: something that is understood by experts but usually not by other people
—usually plural —often + of
I don't want to get into the technicalities of genetic cloning.
Cite this Entry
“Technicality.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/technicality. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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