legality

[ lee-gal-i-tee ]

noun

plural legalities.

1. the state or quality of being in conformity with the law; lawfulness.

   Synonyms: validity, legitimacy

2. attachment to or observance of law.
3. Usually legalities. a duty or obligation imposed by law.
4. Theology. reliance on good works for salvation rather than on free grace.

legality

/ lɪˈɡælɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being legal or lawful
2. adherence to legal principles

Other Word Forms

• pseu·do·le·gal·i·ty noun plural pseudolegalities

Word History and Origins

Origin of legality¹

1425–75; late Middle English legalite < Medieval Latin lēgālitās. See legal, -ity

Example Sentences

He and other legislators have asked the Treasury Department’s inspector general for tax administration to investigate the deal’s legality.

From Los Angeles Times

In a letter to school district superintendents Friday, the California Department of Education, or CDE, defended the legality of DEI efforts.

From Los Angeles Times

Those attorneys have since retained counsel and challenged the legality of the firings through an appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board, which bills itself as an independent, quasi-judicial agency in the executive branch.

From Los Angeles Times

"I don't know the legality of replying to their messages," he said, adding he has decided not to reply at all and only took on the handle as an experiment.

From BBC

The legality of the president’s Executive Order is being challenged, and several judges have issued a preliminary injunctions blocking it from going into effect.

From Salon

Related Words

• validity