technicality

noun

tech·​ni·​cal·​i·​ty ˌtek-nə-ˈka-lə-tē 

plural technicalities

1

: something technical

especially : a detail meaningful only to a specialist

a legal technicality

2

: the quality or state of being technical

Examples of technicality in a Sentence

These cases were dropped because of legal technicalities.

Recent Examples on the Web

Yes, but: Over the years, lawmakers have made the process more difficult for grassroots issues to reach voters, passing laws that riddle it with technicalities and all but require a group to be well-funded to gather petition signatures. —Worth Sparkman, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025

Anderson said his company has been stymied by other technicalities with the Live Local Act. —Laura Kinsler, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2025

In the world of business leadership, technicalities matter. —Andrew Monteyne, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025

Unlike Anthony, however, Scott Peterson was found guilty of killing his wife and their unborn son; while his conviction was up for appeal on a technicality (improper jury selection), there was no assertion of actual innocence by his defense team. —Aja Romano, Vox, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

technical entry 1 + -ity

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for technicality

• abnormality
• cardinality
• commonality
• communality
• cordiality
• corporeality
• criminality
• criticality
• functionality
• generality
• geniality
• hospitality

Kids Definition

technicality

noun

tech·​ni·​cal·​i·​ty ˌtek-nə-ˈkal-ət-ē 

plural technicalities

1

: something technical

especially : a detail that means something only to a specialist

a legal technicality

2

: the quality or state of being technical