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

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

From Salon

“It is not just a technicality. It is a foundational obstacle,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Second, because of legislative technicalities, high earners will get an approximately 5.4% haircut on their total itemized deductions.

From Barron's

“The ruling was based on a legal technicality,” Hale said.

From Los Angeles Times

Those credits cost banks less but come with technicalities that suck up consumers’ time.

From The Wall Street Journal