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 convertibles allow Annan to zip around the Mississippi Delta — and Dallas, which pretty well obliterates the regional specificity — looking in on real people whose lives mirror the storylines from P-Valley.
—
Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 July 2024
Even if Congress can write with such specificity that a court cannot dispute its plain meaning, Congress will need to change the law for every new technology and every change in business practice.
—Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 28 June 2024
So far on the campaign trail, Trump has avoided any real specificity about his foreign-policy plans for a second term.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 21 June 2024
Juries select top accolades the Grand Prix and Palme d’Or, the latter of which is given to the best production company, as well as select Lions award-winners in over 30 categories whose diversity, and specificity, grows each year.
—Robert Marich, Variety, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for specificity 
Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 July 2024
Even if Congress can write with such specificity that a court cannot dispute its plain meaning, Congress will need to change the law for every new technology and every change in business practice.
—Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 28 June 2024
So far on the campaign trail, Trump has avoided any real specificity about his foreign-policy plans for a second term.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 21 June 2024
Juries select top accolades the Grand Prix and Palme d’Or, the latter of which is given to the best production company, as well as select Lions award-winners in over 30 categories whose diversity, and specificity, grows each year.
—Robert Marich, Variety, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for specificity
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'specificity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near specificity
Cite this Entry
“Specificity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specificity. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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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