1. the quality of being selective; the practice of choosing carefully from available options
2. the degree to which a process, device, or substance responds to or affects only specific targets
Usage: technical; scientific

Examples

• The college’s selectivity has increased dramatically over the past decade.
• Her selectivity in choosing friends meant she had a small but close circle.
• The drug’s selectivity for cancer cells makes it an effective treatment.
• The enzyme shows high selectivity for its target substrate.
• The scholarship program’s selectivity ensures only top students are chosen.
• Radio receivers require good selectivity to avoid interference from nearby stations.