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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

selectivity

This increase in selectivity means the reaction became much better at producing the intended substance rather than unwanted products.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026

By changing how chemists think about where and when reaction selectivity is determined, the method could expand the range of molecules that can be connected through electron-transfer chemistry.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 9, 2026

“That selectivity is prefigured, and preprogrammed, by the history of Christendom.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

This persistent trade-off between catalytic activity and selectivity has limited progress in increasing methanol yields.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 14, 2026

If this sort of selectivity had been possible for Billy, he might have chosen as his happiest moment his sundrenched snooze in the back of the wagon.

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut

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