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.

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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

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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

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

A handful of firms pursuing quantum computers use the same modality, such as Google, Rigetti Computing and D-Wave Quantum.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

While not affiliated with any specific modality, the sound bath inside the Atwater Village branch of Mattress Central has a cult-like following.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 13, 2026

He issues orders which are instantly obeyed, helping to maintain universal modality in the country.

From The Dictator by Stephen Marlowe

"We will be working on the modalities - dates, procedures, places - very soon."

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026

A J&J spokesperson said in an email that in-vivo CAR-T remains one of many promising modalities in cell therapy and that the Kelonia partnership continues despite the Lilly deal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026

Given that multiple quantum modalities could co-exist in the future, “suppliers with exposure to multiple modalities could present more diversified risk profiles,” the firm wrote.

From Barron's ● May 6, 2026

AI deepfakes have been rapidly improving in accuracy and modalities, allowing hackers to easily create large volumes of highly personalized scams with just a few prompts.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 18, 2026

But this division into three modalities or into three states is far from giving the number of the manifestations of being.

From Delsarte System of Oratory by Various