technicality

noun

tech·​ni·​cal·​i·​ty ˌtek-nə-ˈka-lə-tē How to pronounce technicality (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One technicality is that the APA covers department regulations, not the president. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 22 July 2025 Last election, his coalition received just 48.4 percent of the vote, attaining a parliamentary majority only because of a technicality in Israel’s electoral system. Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 17 July 2025 Meze says the 105 Silva sound signature is a new take on the company’s usual characteristics, including the technicalities of 109 PRO combined with the warmth and versatility of 105 AER. Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025 Like Ornelas, Vargas resented that León had been removed from the Club World Cup on a technicality. Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for technicality

Word History

Etymology

technical entry 1 + -ity

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of technicality was in 1764

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Technicality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/technicality. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

technicality

noun
tech·​ni·​cal·​i·​ty ˌtek-nə-ˈkal-ət-ē How to pronounce technicality (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on technicality

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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