Specification is a noun with a few closely related meanings. Most often, it refers to a detailed set of requirementsThings that must be met or done for a purpose or result. or design details for something being made or built. It can also mean a required condition in an agreement, the act of stating something explicitlyIn a clear, direct way, leaving no hidden meaning., or a patentOfficial legal protection for an invention, with written description. document that describes an invention in detail.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌspɛsɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
Easy pronunciation: spess-ih-fih-KAY-shun (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the fourth syllable, KAY.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Specification Meaning
a detailed set of requirements or design details
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a detailed description of design criteria for a piece of work
Example: The architect reviewed the project specification before starting the design.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- spec — Common short form for a detailed set of requirements or design details.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Specification
Meaning 2
a required condition in an agreement
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a restriction that is insisted upon as a condition for an agreement
Example: The contract included a specification that work must finish by June.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- stipulation — A formal required condition in an agreement.
Meaning 3
the act of stating something clearly and exactly
Part of speech: noun
Definition: naming explicitly
Example: The report allows for the specification of each team member's role.
Meaning 4
a patent document describing an invention in detail
Part of speech: noun
Definition: (patent law) a document drawn up by the applicant for a patent of invention that provides an explicit and detailed description of the nature and use of an invention
Example: The inventor filed the patent specification last week.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Specification Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- spec
required condition in an agreement
- stipulation
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not use specification to mean a general description when the context clearly calls for a legal condition or a patent document.
- Spec is a common informal short form, but it is not suitable in every context.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does specification mean?
Specification usually means a detailed set of requirements or design details for a piece of work. It can also mean a required condition in an agreement, the act of stating something clearly, or a patent document describing an invention.
What is a simple synonym for specification?
For the most common sense, a simple synonym is spec. In the legal sense, stipulation is a good synonym.
Is specification the same as stipulation?
Not always. Stipulation fits the sense of a required condition in an agreement, but it does not match the other common meanings of specification.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
