Specific jurisdiction refers to a court's authority to hear a case based on the defendant's specific activities within a particular state. This means that if a person or business engages in actions that connect them to that state, they can be sued there. For example, if a company sells products to residents of a state, it may be subject to that state's laws. This type of jurisdiction is different from general jurisdiction, which allows a court to hear any case against a defendant regardless of where the actions occurred. Specific jurisdiction focuses on the relationship between the defendant's actions and the state, ensuring fairness in legal proceedings.