modality

American  

[moh-dal-i-tee] / moʊˈdæl ɪ ti /

noun

• modalities
  plural

1. the quality or state of being modal.

2. an attribute or circumstance that denotes mode or manner.

3. Also called mode. Logic. the classification of propositions according to whether they are contingently true or false, possible, impossible, or necessary.

4. Medicine/Medical. the application of a therapeutic agent, usually a physical therapeutic agent.

5. one of the primary forms of sensation, as vision or touch.

---

modality British  

/ məʊˈdælɪtɪ /

noun

1. the condition of being modal

2. a quality, attribute, or circumstance that denotes mode, mood, or manner

3. logic the property of a statement of being classified under one of the concepts studied by modal logic, esp necessity or possibility

4. any physical or electrical therapeutic method or agency

5. any of the five senses

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• multimodality
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• modalities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of modality

From the Medieval Latin word modālitās, dating back to 1610–20. See modal, -ity

Explanation

A modality is the way or mode in which something exists or is done. You might often see it used with reference to diagnostic modality, which is the way in which a disease or illness is diagnosed by a doctor. Modality shares its root with the word mode, meaning "the way in which something happens or is experienced." A sensory modality is a way of sensing, like vision or hearing. Modality in someone's voice gives a sense of the person's mood. In logic, modality has to do with whether a proposition is necessary, possible, or impossible. In general, a modality is a particular way in which something exists.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

modality modalities

But it is an additional modality for work and that’s a good thing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

Moderna and Merck’s promising new cancer vaccine signals the arrival of an exciting new treatment modality.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026

The modality generally lends itself to better fidelity, a measure of accuracy that gauges how closely a quantum operation matches its intended target.

From Barron's ● Jun. 29, 2026

On Friday, he told journalists: "The Donbas issue is key. It will be discussed as will be the modality of how the three sides see it."

From BBC ● Jan. 23, 2026

First, it is impossible thus to measure the quanta of training needed so as rightly to assign to each its modicum and best modality of training.

From Youth: Its Education, Regimen, and Hygiene by G. Stanley Hall

The "modalities and technical details" of the bases are yet to be confirmed, and according to the deal, must be mutually agreed by all parties.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

That strength ends up spilling over, to some degree, to other truck modalities, such as refrigerated trucks and dry-van trucking, he said.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026

Here’s why it matters, how to test your ‘balance IQ’ at home and 3 different modalities to train your balance — no special equipment needed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

Tsai holds a constructive view on the early-stage oncology programs and modalities showcased at the event, noting they “can meaningfully diversify the mRNA pipeline.”

From Barron's ● Jun. 26, 2026

Similarly, all accidents of spiritual substance were for him mere modalities and mutual relations of its “thought” or “consciousness”: this latter being for him the essence of spirit.

From Ontology or the Theory of Being by Peter Coffey