stipulate

¹

[ stip-yuh-leyt ]

verb (used without object)

, stip·u·lat·ed, stip·u·lat·ing.

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

verb (used with object)

, stip·u·lat·ed, stip·u·lat·ing.

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

   to stipulate a price.

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

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

/ -trɪ; ˈstɪpjʊˌleɪt; ˈstɪpjʊlətərɪ; ˈstɪpjʊləbəl /

verb

1. tr; may take a clause as object to specify, often as a condition of an agreement
2. intrfoll byfor 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

/ ˈstɪpjʊlɪt; -ˌleɪt /

adjective

1. (of a plant) having stipules

Derived Forms

• stipulatory, adjective
• stipulable, adjective
• ˈstipuˌlator, noun
• ˌstipuˈlation, noun

Other Words From

• stip·u·la·ble [stip, -y, uh, -l, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• stip·u·la·tor noun
• stip·u·la·to·ry [stip, -y, uh, -l, uh, -tawr-ee], adjective

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

Then, this year, the Justice companies “apparently stopped paying” some of the stipulated penalties, citing the lawsuit, according to a court filing by the plaintiffs.

From ProPublica

The city stipulated in its long and complex terms with the university that the site could be a potential location for future groundwater extraction wells.

From Voice of San Diego

For example, it stipulates that social-media platforms must keep records of messages that are forwarded by at least five users to more than 1,000 users within 15 days.

From MIT Technology Review

So far, Reliable has had to have an observer on the ground directly watching its airplane fly because of FAA rules that stipulate civilian drones must be flown within direct line of vision of a human operator.

From Fortune

Let’s stipulate that we were not put on Earth to do anything other than to maximize the representation of our genes in future generations.

From Nautilus

Rather, new standards stipulate that bulbs manufactured and sold in the U.S. must meet higher energy efficiency standards.

From The Daily Beast

The new constitution does not stipulate any requirements for a vice president in the government.

From The Daily Beast

So let's stipulate that my critics are completely gender blind, reacting only to my many faults.

From The Daily Beast

I'll stipulate that the Democrats had a good convention, in the primetime hours at least.

From The Daily Beast

Let's stipulate that the fate of the Republic does not turn on the state of Sally Quinn's social life.

From The Daily Beast

After a short consultation with Ronan they directed him to stipulate the conditions for Cautin's life.

From Project Gutenberg

Neither did she ever give me any money,—or anything but my daily dinner,—nor ever stipulate that I should be paid for my services.

From Project Gutenberg

Still, in your service, I am willing to endure even Podbury—for a strictly limited period; that I do stipulate for.

From Project Gutenberg

We must stipulate that the new dish effects an improvement in the economy of the working classes.

From Project Gutenberg

It is always as well to stipulate something about prices beforehand.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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