technicality

American  

[tek-ni-kal-i-tee] / ˌtɛk nɪˈkæl ɪ ti /

noun

plural

technicalities

1. technical character.

2. the use of technical methods or terms.

3. something that is technical; a technical point, detail, or expression.

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technicality British  

/ ˌtɛknɪˈkælɪtɪ /

noun

1. a petty formal point arising from a strict interpretation of rules, etc

   the case was dismissed on a technicality

2. the state or quality of being technical

3. technical methods and vocabulary

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Other Word Forms

• hypertechnicality noun
• overtechnicality noun

Etymology

Origin of technicality

First recorded in 1805–15; technical + -ity

Example Sentences

Some residents claim East Lothian Council ignored a petition with 7,000 signatures on a "technicality," while an initial consultation attracted hundreds of objections.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

I grew up just outside Chicago, though “grew up” feels like a technicality.

From Salon • Dec. 7, 2025

In recent weeks, however, the spy case collapsed over a seeming legal technicality.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025

He was relased from detention weeks later on a technicality.

From BBC • May 26, 2025

Three days after it was filed, a state judge in Bluefield took one look at the case and threw it out of court on a technicality.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam