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
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.
Justices can either uphold the Court of Appeals’ dismissal of the case or remand it back to the Court of Claims for consideration, which would then mean the legality of Michigan denying workers' compensation wages to undocumented workers who suffer injuries on the job could be debated. Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025 Critics argue that these emergency rulings—often issued without a full briefing or detailed explanation—risk solidifying major policy shifts before courts can assess their legality. Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025 Rainbow Room activities pushed the edges of legality, and Skull was arrested on charges of overseeing public nudity, allowing dancing on a Sunday, allowing card games and football betting and serving mixed drinks when such a practice was banned, according to stories in The Tennessean. Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Oct. 2025 That means that the federal appellate court’s decision stands, and that a federal district court in Colorado will again have oversight over the legality of Dawgs’ counterclaim. Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025 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 16 Oct. 2025.

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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