stipulation
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
A specific condition or requirement formally set as part of an agreement or arrangement.
A crucial detail or demand that must be met for something else to be valid or proceed.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a formal, non-negotiable condition, often legally binding. Differs from a 'request' by its mandatory nature.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or syntactic differences. Usage frequency is similar.
Connotations
Strongly associated with legal, contractual, and formal administrative contexts in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in formal writing in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the stipulation that + clausea stipulation for/of + noununder/according to the stipulationwithout any stipulationVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Fine print (less formal, negative connotation)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in contracts, service agreements, and terms & conditions to specify mandatory conditions for payment, delivery, or performance.
Academic
Appears in research proposals, funding agreements, and ethical guidelines to detail conditions of participation or methodology.
Everyday
Rare in casual speech; appears when discussing formal rules, e.g., rental agreements or competition rules.
Technical
Used in legal, diplomatic, and technical standards documents to denote non-negotiable criteria.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The contract stipulates that payment must be made within 28 days.
- The regulations stipulate a maximum vehicle height.
American English
- The agreement stipulates that all disputes are settled in Delaware.
- The policy stipulates a 30-day waiting period.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The only stipulation for joining the club is a yearly fee.
- Her parents had one stipulation: she must finish her studies.
- The loan was granted with the stipulation that it be repaid within five years.
- A key stipulation in the treaty was the reduction of military forces along the border.
- The court's approval came with the stringent stipulation that an independent auditor monitor all transactions.
- His bequest included the peculiar stipulation that the house never be sold, only passed down through the family.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'STIP-ulation' sounds like 'STIP-end' – a required payment or condition.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONDITIONS ARE BARRIERS/GATES (must pass through/meet them to proceed).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не 'стипуляция' (false friend). Avoid direct cognates. Correct translations: 'условие' (core meaning), 'оговорка' (clause), 'требование' (requirement).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'stipulation' for informal wishes (e.g., 'My stipulation is that we leave early' – too formal). Confusing with 'stimulation'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'stipulation' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is neutral but formal, simply meaning a specified condition. The connotation depends on context.
They are synonyms, but 'stipulation' is more formal and strongly implies a written, agreed-upon, and often legally-enforceable condition.
It sounds overly formal for casual talk. In everyday contexts, 'condition' or 'requirement' is more natural.
The verb is 'to stipulate'. Example: 'The law stipulates a minimum age.'
Collections
Part of a collection
Formal Debate Language
C2 · 48 words · Language for structured academic and political debate.