Quick answer
stipulation means a formal condition, requirement, or term attached to an agreement. It is usually pronounced stip-yuh-LAY-shun, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
stipulation
stipulation means a formal condition, requirement, or term attached to an agreement. It belongs to bureaucratic and academic absurdities and works best in satire, office complaints, and writing about systems that sound puffed up or overmanaged. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
bureaucraticacademicjargon
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, stipulation refers to a formal condition, requirement, or term attached to an agreement. It is most useful when a plain label would tell the truth but miss the tone, flavor, or comic edge.
Why this word feels absurd
stipulation feels absurd because its repeated sounds give it a bounce or wobble that makes the word feel half descriptive and half sound effect.
Origin and history
stipulation is generally traced to origin uncertain. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
stipulation is still used today, though it often turns up in more formal, literary, or analytical writing than in casual conversation.
Example sentences
- The column dismissed the whole rumor as stipulation.
- In the novel, one stipulation is enough to derail the dinner party.
- She used stipulation in the essay because the plain modern word felt too bland.
- The teacher paused to explain stipulation before asking the class to use it in context.
- They kept repeating stipulation because the sound of it was almost as memorable as the meaning.
When should you use this word?
Use stipulation when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in satire, office complaints, and writing about systems that sound puffed up or overmanaged.
Similar words
academese, addendum, adjournment, aforementioned, appendix
Opposite or contrasting words
plain language, practical clarity, direct explanation
Common questions
- What does stipulation mean? a formal condition, requirement, or term attached to an agreement.
- How do you pronounce stipulation? It is commonly pronounced stip-yuh-LAY-shun.
- Is stipulation still used today? stipulation is still used today, though it often turns up in more formal, literary, or analytical writing than in casual conversation.
- When should you use stipulation? Use stipulation when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in satire, office complaints, and writing about systems that sound puffed up or overmanaged.
- What words are similar to stipulation? Similar words include academese, addendum, adjournment, and aforementioned.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.