eligibility

noun

el·​i·​gi·​bil·​i·​ty ˌe-lə-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce eligibility (audio)
: the quality or state of being eligible : fitness or suitability to be chosen, selected, or allowed to do something
The applicants must meet all requirements for eligibility.
… should "Shoeless Joe" Jackson, of "Black Sox" infamy, also be granted eligibility for the Hall of Fame?David A. Kaplan
Mass mailings go out to low-income areas, and if a letter is returned as undeliverable, the party uses it to challenge that voter's eligibility.Sasha Abramsky

Examples of eligibility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
All three players used up their final year of eligibility last fall. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 27 Apr. 2025 There are a number of ways to do that, including raising payroll taxes, lowering the cost-of-living adjustments, raising the ages for eligibility, and taxing benefits. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025 Bonner, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker, has three years of eligibility. Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2025 Merion, who also has one year of eligibility remaining, has 76 career catches for 1,125 yards and seven touchdowns over 42 games (23 starts) across four seasons — two apiece with UConn and BYU. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eligibility

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eligibility was in 1651

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Cite this Entry

“Eligibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eligibility. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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