Specification: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is best used when you need to outline detailed and technical criteria for a product, system, or project.

• The software development team carefully reviewed the technical specification before starting the project.
• The specifications for the new laptop include a high-resolution screen and at least 16GB of RAM.

Use this word when you need to give a broad and general explanation or overview of something.

• The job description for the marketing position includes social media management and content creation.
• She provided a detailed description of the events leading up to the accident.

This word is appropriate when giving specific steps or directions on how to achieve a particular task or operation.

• The assembly instructions for the furniture were easy to follow.
• She gave us clear instructions on how to access the building.

This term is suitable when referring to general recommendations or principles that help people make decisions or perform tasks.

• The health department issued new guidelines for public gatherings during the pandemic.
• Follow these guidelines to ensure your report meets the company's standards.

Use this term to describe something that is necessary or obligatory, especially in legal, academic, or professional contexts.

• The job requirements include a bachelor’s degree and five years of experience.
• It's a legal requirement to wear a seatbelt while driving.

Use this term when detailing exact requirements, standards, or characteristics, often in technical or formal contexts.

• The team reviewed the project's specifications to ensure all requirements were met.
• You should follow the electrical specification precisely to avoid any issues.

This word is suitable for contexts involving detailed plans or designs, especially architectural or engineering projects. It often refers to a complete technical drawing.

• The architect showed us the blueprint of the new office building.
• You can see the entire layout in the blueprint.

This word is best suited for general contexts involving a detailed proposal or strategy for achieving something. It can be used in both formal and informal situations.

• We need to make a plan for the weekend trip.
• The business plan outlines our strategy for the next five years.

Use this term in contexts related to creating or planning the form and function of something, often aesthetic or structural. This can be applied to a broad range of fields.

• Her design for the new logo was modern and sleek.
• The engineers worked on the car design to improve its performance.

This informal term is a shorter form of ‘specification’ and is often used in casual conversations or within specific industries where the full term is well known.

• Can you send me the spec for the new software update?
• The contractor asked for the house build spec.

Used in formal and technical settings to describe detailed and precise information about the design, materials, and standards required for a particular project or product.

• The engineers are working on the specification for the new bridge design.
• Before we can proceed, we need to review the project's technical specification.

Highlights distinct and beneficial aspects or functionalities of a product or service, often used in marketing and product descriptions.

• One of the standout features of the new smartphone is its high-resolution camera.
• The updated model includes several new features, such as voice control and improved battery life.

Refers to characteristics or properties that can be used to describe or differentiate objects, often in the context of databases, products, or people.

• The attributes of the new software include its fast processing speed and user-friendly interface.
• Quality and durability are important attributes of any good product.

An informal abbreviation of 'specifications,' commonly used in everyday language to refer to the technical details or requirements of a product.

• Can you send me the full specs for the laptop you're selling?
• The specs on this gadget seem impressive for the price.