stipulation

Everyday

(formal) A stipulation is a condition or rule that must be kept as part of an agreement: you may borrow it, with the stipulation that you return it on time. tree →

In the lessons

Used in formal and exam language, contracts, rules and competitions; it tells the reader that something is a must. In maths word problems in formal voice, a stipulation is a condition the answer must meet: «with the stipulation that each group has the same number». Plain words: condition, rule, «as long as».

Examples

• The prize had one stipulation: you must be under 12 to enter. tree →
• Grandpa lent us his car with the stipulation that we wash it. tree →
• The contract contains a stipulation about holidays. tree →
• The puzzle has a stipulation: each number may be used only once. tree →
• The rules stipulate that every player must wear a helmet. tree →
• The club accepted her with no stipulations. tree →

Note

Formal word; in everyday speech say «condition» or «rule». Countable: a stipulation, two stipulations. In a maths problem a stipulation limits the answers: «with the stipulation that no box is empty» means every box has at least 1.