specificity
noun
spec·i·fic·i·ty
ˌspe-sə-ˈfi-sə-tē 
: the quality or condition of being specific: such as
a
: the condition of being peculiar to a particular individual or group of organisms
host specificity of a parasite
b
: the condition of participating in or catalyzing only one or a few chemical reactions
the specificity of an enzyme
Examples of specificity in a Sentence
I was impressed by the specificity of her instructions.
the specificity of your description of your medical condition was a bit more than I needed
Recent Examples on the Web
The sites hawk their wares with scientific specificity: microprinting in dots per inch, card thickness in micrometers (polycarbonate stock for that stiff, authentic feel) and various types of laminates.
—
Kaja Andric, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
What made this project feel different, however, was the book's specificity.
—Susan Akyeampong, refinery29.com, 13 Feb. 2025
And while Victor’s film might be rooted specifically in Agnes’ story and the bad thing at its center, in its specificity, there’s still tremendous room for wider recognition and and revelation.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Jan. 2025
Love scenes in the later books went further, often adding anatomical specificity.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for specificity 
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Kaja Andric, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
What made this project feel different, however, was the book's specificity.
—Susan Akyeampong, refinery29.com, 13 Feb. 2025
And while Victor’s film might be rooted specifically in Agnes’ story and the bad thing at its center, in its specificity, there’s still tremendous room for wider recognition and and revelation.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Jan. 2025
Love scenes in the later books went further, often adding anatomical specificity.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for specificity
Dictionary Entries Near specificity
Cite this Entry
“Specificity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specificity. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
specificity
noun
spec·i·fic·i·ty
ˌspes-ə-ˈfis-ət-ē
: the quality or condition of being specific
especially
: the condition of taking part in or of acting as a catalyst in only one or a few chemical reactions
the specificity of an enzyme
Medical Definition
specificity
noun
spec·i·fic·i·ty
ˌspes-ə-ˈfis-ət-ē
plural specificities
: the quality or condition of being specific: as
a
: the condition of being peculiar to a particular individual or group of organisms
host specificity of a parasite
b
: the condition of participating in or catalyzing only one or a few chemical reactions
the specificity of an enzyme
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