stipulated: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “stipulated” mean?
A specific condition or requirement that is formally and explicitly stated as part of an agreement, contract, or rule.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific condition or requirement that is formally and explicitly stated as part of an agreement, contract, or rule.
To demand or require something as an essential part of an arrangement, often with legal or formal authority; to specify authoritatively.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic difference, but more frequent in American legal and corporate documents. In British English, sometimes replaced with 'specified' in less formal contexts.
Connotations
Carries a strong connotation of authority, legality, and formality in both dialects.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English within business and legal domains.
Grammar
How to Use “stipulated” in a Sentence
stipulate that + clausestipulate + nounstipulate + for + nounstipulate + wh-clauseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stipulated” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The contract stipulated a completion date of 31 March.
- The regulations stipulate how the data must be stored.
American English
- The lease stipulated a penalty for late payment.
- Federal law stipulates that labels must include nutritional information.
adjective
British English
- The stipulated timeframe was impossibly short.
- Payment must be made by the stipulated method.
American English
- We failed to meet the stipulated performance benchmarks.
- Work must comply with all stipulated safety codes.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The merger agreement stipulated that all senior staff would be retained for two years.
Academic
The research protocol stipulated a double-blind methodology.
Everyday
The rental ad stipulated no pets and no smoking.
Technical
The engineering standards stipulated a minimum tensile strength of 50,000 psi.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stipulated”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stipulated”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stipulated”
- Using 'stipulated' when 'mentioned' or 'suggested' is meant (overstatement).
- Incorrect preposition: 'stipulated about' instead of 'stipulated for' or 'stipulated that'.
- Using it in overly casual contexts where 'said' or 'asked for' would be natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but it is most at home there. It's used in any formal context where a specific, non-negotiable condition is set, including business, academia, and technical fields.
'Stipulated' focuses on the act of explicitly stating or spelling out a requirement, often in writing. 'Required' simply states the necessity. You stipulate the requirement.
Yes, it is commonly used for conditions set in an agreement that will apply in the future (e.g., 'The contract stipulated that he would become CEO in 2025').
The noun form is 'stipulation' (e.g., 'One stipulation of the deal was confidentiality').
A specific condition or requirement that is formally and explicitly stated as part of an agreement, contract, or rule.
Stipulated is usually formal in register.
Stipulated: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɪp.jə.leɪ.tɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɪp.jə.leɪ.t̬ɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “as stipulated”
- “in accordance with the stipulations”
- “meet the stipulated requirements”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'STIPulated' as a 'STIPulation' you must 'TIP' your hat to—it's a mandatory rule.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONDITIONS ARE BOUNDARIES; AGREEMENTS ARE CONTAINERS WITH RULES.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'stipulated' LEAST appropriate?