What does stipulation mean?
A stipulation is a condition that must be met, particularly in a contract, agreement, grant, or formal arrangement. It identifies what the parties are required to do, what is permitted, or what must remain unchanged. The term is especially common in legal and administrative writing, where it describes a precise provision that limits or defines the effect of an agreement. In less formal discussion, a stipulation may function as a requirement or qualification: access to the service depends on the stipulation that applicants provide proof of address. Although stipulation can also refer to the act of agreeing to a condition, its dominant modern use is the condition itself. The word conveys precision and formality, making it useful when describing obligations, restrictions, and the specific terms on which consent or assistance is based.
A condition or requirement specified in a contract, agreement, grant, or other formal arrangement.
"The contract's final stipulation required both parties to provide written notice."
Common in legal, contractual, and administrative contexts; less usual in casual speech.
The act of stipulating or formally agreeing to a condition.
"Their stipulation of strict confidentiality formed part of the settlement."
This sense is less common than the meaning of a condition or requirement itself.
Used for multiple conditions, requirements, or provisions, especially in contracts and formal agreements.
"The two stipulations allowed the agreement to be terminated without penalty."
A stipulation turns an agreement into a precise, enforceable set of conditions.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stipulation come from?
Stipulation entered English in the early 16th century from Latin stipulatio, a term associated with stipulari, “to stipulate” or “to make a formal agreement.” In Latin legal usage, the word referred to an agreement or a promise made under specified formalities. Its development reflects the broader use of stipulari for contractual undertakings and conditions. The modern English sense developed from this legal foundation into the more general idea of a specified condition or requirement.
Related word forms
How stipulation is actually used
Formally and legally common. In general contexts, it often means a specified condition or requirement and can sound more formal than condition or requirement.