legality

noun

le·​gal·​i·​ty li-ˈga-lə-tē How to pronounce legality (audio)
plural legalities
Synonyms of legalitynext
1
: attachment to or observance of law
2
: the quality or state of being legal : lawfulness
3
legalities plural : obligations imposed by law

Examples of legality in a Sentence

the senator questioned the legality of the proposed surveillance operation
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.
In the Watson case, the justices are considering the legality of a Mississippi law that allows mail ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if received up to five days later. Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 30 Jan. 2026 Federal policymakers are not resolving the tension between hemp product legality and workplace testing anytime soon. Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026 The announcement comes as the Supreme Court could hand down its decision at any time on the legality of the administration's use of emergency powers to impose tariffs. Meghan Mistry, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2026 The legality of doing so, however, remains murky as the fate of a follow-up bill known as the Clarity Act—which has big potential implications for stablecoins—remains unclear. Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for legality

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of legality was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Legality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legality. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

legality

noun
le·​gal·​i·​ty li-ˈgal-ət-ē How to pronounce legality (audio)
plural legalities
1
: the quality or state of being legal : lawfulness
2
: something that is required by law

Legal Definition

legality

noun
le·​gal·​i·​ty li-ˈga-lə-tē How to pronounce legality (audio)
plural legalities
1
: attachment to or observance of law
2
: the quality or state of being legal : lawfulness
3
plural : obligations imposed by law

More from Merriam-Webster on legality

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