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

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

Yang's team tested more than 300 variations to fine-tune the compound's power, safety, and selectivity.

From Science Daily

News & World Report measure such categories as the selectivity of admissions and test scores, but City Journal is trying to measure the added value of four years of undergraduate learning.

From The Wall Street Journal