Stipulation
/ˌstɪpjəˈleɪʃən/
nounB2
Definition
A stipulation is a specific rule or condition that is set as part of an agreement or contract. It explains what must be done or what is allowed, so everyone understands the limits or requirements. People use stipulations to make sure all sides agree on important details.
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See It in Action
A condition or requirement in an agreement or contract
- •The contract included a stipulation that the work must be finished by June.
- •One stipulation of the lease is that pets are not allowed.
- •They agreed to the sale with the stipulation that payment is made in full upfront.
A formal demand or rule set by one party in a negotiation
- •The lawyer added a stipulation to protect her client’s rights.
- •Their agreement had a stipulation about confidentiality.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "stipulation" like "rule," but more formal and often written down in agreements
- ✓Picture a list of instructions or conditions you must follow to get something, like a contract with boxes to check
- ✓It's the feeling when you agree to something only if certain conditions are met—like "I will help you, but only if you do this first"
- ✓Sounds like "STIP-yuh-lay-shun" → imagine someone saying "Step, you lay down the rules," like stepping carefully on rules
- ✓In stories, characters often make deals with stipulations, like "You can enter my castle, but only if you solve the riddle"
- ✓NOT like "suggestion" (which is an idea you can ignore), a stipulation is a must-follow condition
- ✓NOT like "law" (which applies to everyone in a country), stipulations apply only to the people who agree to them
- ✓NOT like "request" (which asks politely), stipulations are official and expected to be followed
Try Other Words
- •Condition: a requirement that must be met (Use when emphasizing that something depends on this requirement)
- •Term: a part of an agreement or contract (Use when referring to specific parts of a contract)
- •Requirement: something needed or demanded (Use when focusing on what must be done)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: from Latin "stipulatio" meaning a bargain or agreement
- •Etymology: comes from Latin "stipulatio," a formal promise or agreement in law
- •Historical development: originally used in Roman law for formal contracts and promises
- •Modern usage: used in legal, business, and formal agreements to mean a specific condition or rule that must be followed
- •Key insight: always about a clear, agreed-upon rule or condition in a formal setting
Reflect & Connect
•How do stipulations help people avoid misunderstandings in agreements?
•Can you think of a time when a stipulation made a situation clearer or more difficult?
Fill in the blanks
1.The contract had a stipulation that the project ___ be completed by a certain date to avoid penalties.
2.They accepted the offer with the stipulation ___ they would receive full payment before starting work.
3.Unlike a suggestion, a stipulation is a ___ that must be followed in an agreement.
4.The lease included a stipulation ___ no pets were allowed in the apartment building.
5.When signing an agreement, it is important to read all the stipulations carefully to understand ___.
6.The lawyer added a stipulation to protect her client's rights, showing how stipulations can ___ negotiations.
7.If a stipulation is broken, the other party may have the right to ___ the contract or ask for compensation.