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
Given historical specificity of Hong Kong cinema, how does that context or its removal operate in Night Charades?
—
Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 24 Mar. 2025
In March 2025 the Acting Comptroller of the Currency issued a new publication, Interpretative Letter 1183, that has provided the sought after clarity and specificity requested by the TradFi space to engage in crypto activities.
—Sean Stein Smith, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
While an episodic memory has specificity, statistical learning relates to more holistic concepts, such as understanding what a building looks like or which traditions are celebrated on certain holidays.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 21 Mar. 2025
Like his previous plays, Jacobs-Jenkins unveils the specificities of being linked by blood.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for specificity
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Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 24 Mar. 2025
In March 2025 the Acting Comptroller of the Currency issued a new publication, Interpretative Letter 1183, that has provided the sought after clarity and specificity requested by the TradFi space to engage in crypto activities.
—Sean Stein Smith, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
While an episodic memory has specificity, statistical learning relates to more holistic concepts, such as understanding what a building looks like or which traditions are celebrated on certain holidays.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 21 Mar. 2025
Like his previous plays, Jacobs-Jenkins unveils the specificities of being linked by blood.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for specificity
Cite this Entry
“Specificity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specificity. Accessed 3 Apr. 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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