specification
This term carries a heavy weight of precision and authority. It is the language of contracts, engineering, and law, where ambiguity is a liability. When a professional refers to specifications, they are talking about a non-negotiable set of requirements that must be met for a product to be considered successful or compliant. In a consumer context, such as buying a computer or a car, it shifts toward a list of capabilities. Here, it functions as a benchmark for comparison, allowing a buyer to weigh performance metrics like RAM or horsepower against a competitor's offering.
Countable when referring to a single requirement or a document containing them (the specifications for the project). Uncountable when referring to the general process of being specific (the specification of the parameters).
Meanings
A detailed description of the design and materials used to make something.
"The engineer checked the technical specification for the bridge."