selectivity

American  

[si-lek-tiv-i-tee, see-lek-] / sɪ lɛkˈtɪv ɪ ti, ˌsi lɛk- /

noun

1. the state or quality of being selective.

2. Electricity. the property of a circuit, instrument, or the like, by virtue of which it can distinguish oscillations of a particular frequency.

3. Radio. the ability of a receiving set to receive any one of a band of frequencies or waves to the exclusion of others.

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selectivity British  

/ sɪˌlɛkˈtɪvɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being selective

2. the degree to which a radio receiver or other circuit can respond to and separate the frequency of a desired signal from other frequencies by tuning

3. the principle that welfare services should go only to those whose need is greatest, as revealed by needs tests, means tests, etc

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Etymology

Origin of selectivity

First recorded in 1900–05; selective + -ity

Example Sentences

And Jefferies analyst Brent Thill forecast “another year of gradual AI monetization, with more meaningful growth contribution/acceleration needed to ease AI disintermediation fears, thus requiring more selectivity.”

From MarketWatch

When activity increases, selectivity often drops, leaving acetaldehyde yields below 90%.

From Science Daily

Finding safety, however, requires selectivity, as structural shifts in how we eat and drink collide with parts of the consumer-staples universe.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some cited the college’s increased selectivity in admissions as justification for higher grades.

From The Wall Street Journal

When swapping out a phosphate reduced the selectivity of the reaction, it revealed that the original site played a crucial role.

From Science Daily