eligibility
noun
el·i·gi·bil·i·ty
ˌe-lə-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
: 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
David A. KaplanMass 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
Sasha AbramskyExamples of eligibility in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Say that a presidential candidate wants to create universal prekindergarten, implement a comprehensive parental-leave policy, lower the Medicare-eligibility age, and invest in clean energy and cancer research.
—Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss (Sixth-year senior; 6-0, 200) Chambliss fought the law and won, being granted an extra year of eligibility after electrifying Ole Miss’ offense following a transfer from Division II powerhouse Ferris State.
—Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Despite this change, eligibility is narrow and excludes many people, including those sentenced to life without parole, despite evidence showing that people age out of crime and resentencing does not compromise public safety.
—Nicole D. Porter, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
As a result, some players who may be borderline prospects, or ones who simply wish to raise their draft stock and have more years of college eligibility, are choosing to stay in school while not missing out on a payday the NFL can provide.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for eligibility
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Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss (Sixth-year senior; 6-0, 200) Chambliss fought the law and won, being granted an extra year of eligibility after electrifying Ole Miss’ offense following a transfer from Division II powerhouse Ferris State.
—Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Despite this change, eligibility is narrow and excludes many people, including those sentenced to life without parole, despite evidence showing that people age out of crime and resentencing does not compromise public safety.
—Nicole D. Porter, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
As a result, some players who may be borderline prospects, or ones who simply wish to raise their draft stock and have more years of college eligibility, are choosing to stay in school while not missing out on a payday the NFL can provide.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for eligibility
Cite this Entry
“Eligibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eligibility. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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