stipulate

¹

[stip-yuh-leyt]

verb (used without object)

stipulated, stipulating 

1. to make an express demand or arrangement as a condition of agreement (often followed byfor ).

verb (used with object)

stipulated, stipulating 

1. to arrange expressly or specify in terms of agreement.

   to stipulate a price.

   Synonyms: state, specify, name, lay down, fix, detail, define

2. to require as an essential condition in making an agreement.

   Total disarmament was stipulated in the peace treaty.

   Synonyms: specify, require, prescribe, demand

3. to promise, in making an agreement.

4. Law.,  to accept (a proposition) without requiring that it be established by proof.

   to stipulate the existence of certain facts or that an expert witness is qualified.

stipulate

²

[stip-yuh-lit, -leyt]

adjective

Botany.

1. having stipules.

stipulate

¹

/ ˈstɪpjʊlətərɪ, ˈstɪpjʊləbəl, ˈstɪpjʊˌleɪt, -trɪ /

verb

1. (tr; may take a clause as object) to specify, often as a condition of an agreement

2. to insist (on) as a term of an agreement

3. Roman law to make (an oral contract) in the form of question and answer necessary to render it legally valid

4. (tr; may take a clause as object) to guarantee or promise

stipulate

²

/ -ˌleɪt, ˈstɪpjʊlɪt /

adjective

1. (of a plant) having stipules

Other Word Forms

• stipulable adjective
• stipulator noun
• stipulatory adjective
• stipulation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stipulate¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin stipulātus (past participle of stipulārī “to demand a formal agreement”), apparently equivalent to stipul- ( stipule ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Origin of stipulate²

From the New Latin word stipulātus, dating back to 1770–80. See stipule, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of stipulate¹

C17: from Latin stipulārī, probably from Old Latin stipulus firm, but perhaps from stipula a stalk, from the convention of breaking a straw to ratify a promise

Example Sentences

Fighters usually shed fat over the course of their training camp to get close to the agreed or stipulated weight limit.

Read more on BBC

The Foremans' family say they entered Iran with valid visas, a licensed guide and a pre-approved itinerary - as rules there stipulate.

Read more on BBC

However, Israel's opposition leader and former prime minister, Yair Lapid, wrote on X: "Reminder: Israeli law stipulates that the first condition for receiving a pardon is an admission of guilt and an expression of remorse."

Read more on BBC

Mr and Ms Foreman's loved ones, who deny the charges against them, say they entered Iran with valid visas, a licensed guide and a pre-approved itinerary - as rules there stipulate.

Read more on BBC

Crucially, the agreement stipulates that furloughed government workers receive back pay, which will refill their coffers and allow for some catch-up spending.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• designate 
• guarantee 
• impose 
• lay down 
• provide 
• require 
• specify 
• spell out