stipulate

¹ American  

[stip-yuh-leyt] / ˈstɪp yəˌleɪt /

verb (used without object)

stipulated, stipulating

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

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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 American  

[stip-yuh-lit, -leyt] / ˈstɪp yə lɪt, -ˌleɪt /

adjective

Botany.

1. having stipules.

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stipulate ¹ British  

/ 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

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stipulate ² British  

/ -ˌleɪt, ˈstɪpjʊlɪt /

adjective

1. (of a plant) having stipules

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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

Explanation

To stipulate something means to demand that it be part of an agreement. So when you make a contract or deal, you can stipulate that a certain condition must be met. Anytime you draw up a legal agreement, you can stipulate a requirement that has to be met for that agreement to be complete. This stipulation might put some sort of limit on the agreement. For example, if you run a fencing company and offer a sale, you can stipulate that to get the sale price, the fence must be ordered by a certain date. Your customer, in turn, might stipulate that the work must be finished before the ground freezes.

Example Sentences

The documents stipulate the couple held a trust worth $200 million — all of which would become Michael’s in the event of Kerri’s death.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Usage restrictions governing its contract with the Pentagon stipulate that its AI cannot be used for domestic mass surveillance or fully autonomous weapons.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Let’s stipulate that nobody should be surprised by VanDyke’s conduct.

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2026

The new measures stipulate that drones may only enter through customs points at Bogota's international airport and the northern seaport of Cartagena.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

“This conclave cannot stipulate how I train my apprentices! It is my sole right to teach them, train them, and discipline them!”

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

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