specification

USAGE SUMMARY

"specification" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when referring to a detailed description of the requirements, components, or features of something. For example, "The client provided a detailed specification outlining what they needed for the new website design."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He described the official "specification report" published for the first time today as giving a "horrifying picture of the impact" with more than 7 million losers: "A pensioner couple in inner London could find themselves paying 22% of their net income in poll tax, whereas a better off couple in the suburbs pay only 1%.

The Guardian

Specification of (a) types of webmasters that are not notified by default (e.g., malicious porn sites); (b) proportion of delistings (by % of requests and URLs) where the webmaster additionally removes information or applies robots.txt at source; and (c) proportion of delistings (by % of requests and URLs) where the webmaster lodges an objection.

The Guardian - Tech

Later, with Jordi Puig-Suari of California Polytechnic State University, it was turned into a full specification.

The Economist

"Being able to put something in space at very low cost allows you to demonstrate the technology to get more money," says Dan Berkenstock, one of the company's founders.The CubeSat specification came out of the academic world in the late 1990s.

The Economist

Often, however, the most interesting thing about a new technology is not what it is designed to do, but what it can do that was not in the original specification.

The Economist

With the first phase of the Californian requirement being, in effect, the same as the Energy Star 4.0 specification that comes in next spring, manufacturers will have already started tooling up for the new lower-energy sets.They would have done so with or without any mandatory requirements from California.

The Economist

It was sluggish to get going, taking years to issue its first specification, and generally trails developments.

The Economist

Alex Salmond, the Scottish National Party leader, fumes that Tony Blair, while berating the SNP for suggesting that a Scottish administration should have a minister for external affairs, had now set out the job specification for such a post.Indeed, this prosaically titled joint ministerial committee is no ordinary committee.

The Economist

Suffice it to say that the Wireless Gigabit Alliance (promoter of the WiGig specification) recently merged with the Wi-Fi Alliance, the body responsible for certifying the IEEE's 802.11 family of wireless standards ("a", "b", "g", "n" and, coming soon, "ac").

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The OSCE has reported that "high-grade military-specification jamming" is being used against its monitoring drones, suggesting an influx of more sophisticated kit into the region.

The Economist

In May, a firm called SalvageSale.com began offering an online auction and trade exchange for "damaged, heavily discounted, distressed or sub-specification material" (junk) and "finished goods in commercial quantities" (lots of junk).Who buys the stuff?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "specification", ensure that you provide sufficient detail to avoid ambiguity and ensure clear understanding of the requirements or criteria.

Common error

Avoid using vague or overly general language when defining a "specification". Always provide specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) details to ensure clarity and avoid misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The word "specification" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a detailed description of requirements or characteristics. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to define explicit sets of standards for materials, products, or services.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "specification" is a versatile noun widely used to denote a detailed description of requirements or characteristics. As Ludwig AI confirms, it maintains a consistent grammatical standing and finds frequent application across diverse domains, particularly in news, science, and business. While alternatives such as "detailed requirements" or "precise criteria" may offer nuanced variations, understanding and correctly using "specification" is crucial for clear and effective communication. Remember to avoid overly broad language when using "specification".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detailed requirements

Focuses on the individual elements that make up the overall specification.

precise criteria

Emphasizes the standards used for evaluation or judgment.

exact stipulations

Highlights the mandatory conditions or agreements that must be met.

specific parameters

Refers to measurable or definable characteristics that define the scope.

technical description

Indicates a focus on the technical aspects and details.

design details

Emphasizes the particulars related to the design of a product or system.

functional requirements

Highlights the required functions or capabilities.

performance standards

Focuses on benchmarks for how something should perform.

product definition

Refers to the comprehensive description of a product.

formalized standard

It is a more succinct synonym to the QUERY, and also is suitable as a keyword in search.

FAQs

How is "specification" typically used in a technical context?

In technical contexts, "specification" refers to a detailed document that outlines the precise requirements, design criteria, and performance standards for a product, system, or process. It provides a comprehensive framework for development, testing, and validation.

What are some synonyms for "specification" that I can use to avoid repetition?

To avoid repetition, you can use synonyms like "stipulation", "requirement", "parameter", or "criterion" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does a "specification" differ from a general description?

A "specification" is a detailed and precise document that outlines all the necessary requirements and criteria, while a general description provides a broader overview without the same level of detail or precision.

What role does a "specification" play in project management?

In project management, a "specification" serves as a key document that defines the project's objectives, scope, and deliverables. It guides the project team, ensures alignment with stakeholders' expectations, and provides a basis for measuring project success.