Legal Definitions - namely

The term namely is an adverb used to introduce a specific and exhaustive list or clarification of something that has just been mentioned. It signals that the items or details that follow are the complete set of what was being referred to, leaving no room for other unstated possibilities. It is similar in meaning to "specifically" or "that is to say."

Here are some examples illustrating the use of "namely":

• Example 1: In a business agreement, a clause might state: "The vendor is responsible for delivering all required software components, namely, the core application, the database module, and the user interface package."

  Explanation: Here, "namely" clarifies that the three listed items (core application, database module, user interface package) constitute the *entire* set of software components the vendor is obligated to deliver, rather than just a partial list.

• Example 2: A city council resolution might declare: "The new zoning ordinance will impact several residential districts, namely, the historic downtown area, the lakeside community, and the northern suburbs."

  Explanation: This usage of "namely" precisely identifies all the residential districts that will be affected by the new zoning ordinance, ensuring there is no ambiguity about which areas are included.

• Example 3: A doctor might inform a patient: "You need to avoid certain foods that can trigger your allergies, namely, peanuts, shellfish, and dairy products."

  Explanation: In this context, "namely" provides an exhaustive list of the specific foods the patient must avoid due to allergies, making it clear that these are the primary culprits.