A
stipulative definition is a type of
definition in which a new or currently-existing term is given a specific meaning for the purposes of
argument or discussion in a given context. When the term already exists, this definition may, but does not necessarily, contradict the
dictionary (
lexical) definition of the term. Because of this, a stipulative definition cannot be "correct" or "incorrect"; it can only differ from other definitions, but it can be useful for its intended purpose.