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 The technicality of 2025 still being part of the application is a result of the length of this process. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 5 Feb. 2024 When the Nuggets next see the Bucks, Feb. 12 in Milwaukee, the newcomer will likely have a better grip on such technicalities. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 30 Jan. 2024 Still, the seven justices were split on such a ruling, which largely dismissed the legal technicalities of Donovan's argument before, at last, siding with him on the point of potential rehabilitation and setting him on the path to freedom. Adam Carlson, ABC News, 3 Dec. 2023 Interviews with family members, attorneys, and witnesses fill in the gaps about who the victims were and where they were found, softening the technicalities of the investigation and, in a way, bringing them back to life. Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2023 The suit was thrown out on a technicality — the plaintiff couldn’t prove she was biologically related to Pinell and therefore didn’t qualify as next of kin. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024 The court in Louisiana dismissed the case on a technicality that the embryos were created in California. Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 The issue certainly seems small, but contestants have missed out on major prizes over even smaller technicalities. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 18 Oct. 2023 But the Nebraska Supreme Court struck it from consideration on a technicality. Jonathan Weisman, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'technicality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near technicality

Cite this Entry

“Technicality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/technicality. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!