irregularity

noun ir·reg·u·lar·i·ty \ i-ˌre-gyə-ˈler-ə-tē , ˌi(r)- , -ˈla-rə- \

|Updated on: 9 Jul 2018

Examples: irregularity in a Sentence

Definition of irregularity

plural irregularities

1 : something that is irregular (such as improper or dishonest conduct)

alleged irregularities in the city government

2 : the quality or state of being irregular

3 : constipation

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Examples of irregularity in a Sentence

the irregularity of his behavior
He is suffering from irregularity.

Recent Examples of irregularity from the Web

The MacPherson strut front suspension and double-wishbone style multi-link rear suspension mean RAV4 absorbs road irregularities with confidence.

— emma jayne williams, star-telegram, "Toyota introduces new Adventure modelto the lineup of its 2018 RAV4 crossover," 23 June 2018
If these peptides have enough irregularities, the immune system may identify them as problems and mark them for destruction.

— keridwen cornelius, Scientific American, "A Shot against Cancer Slated for Testing in Massive Dog Study," 7 June 2018
The opposition parties have vowed to scrap Mr Erdogan’s new constitution, which passed by a sliver in a 2017 referendum marred by irregularities and allegations of fraud.

— The Economist, "Turkey’s opposition scents success against Erdogan," 2 June 2018
Democracy advocates said those elections were also beset by irregularities.

— tracy wilkinson, latimes.com, "Trump hits Venezuela over criticized presidential election," 21 May 2018
The probe involves irregularities over absentee ballots in the head-to-head matchup between Bottoms and Mary Norwood in December, according to two people with direct knowledge of the investigation.

— greg bluestein, ajc, "Judge grants request for docs linked to Atlanta mayoral vote probe," 16 May 2018
Galvin’s office had overseen that voting in Lawrence — previously beset by irregularities — had been fair during Rivera’s razor-thin win in 2013.

— matt stout, BostonGlobe.com, "Galvin launching internal review into employees who filed campaign paperwork during work hours," 10 May 2018
Steinhoff reported accounting irregularities on Dec. 5, causing the shares to crash more than 80 percent in three days.

— loni prinsloo, Bloomberg.com, "Steinhoff CEO Pays Share-Backed Loan Taken Days Before Fall," 4 May 2018
No irregularities were detected at the Mihama, Takahama and Ohi nuclear plants to the north of Osaka, Kansai Electric Power said.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Magnitude 6.1 quake in Japan’s Osaka area kills three, stops factories," 18 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'irregularity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of irregularity

Middle English irregularite, from Medieval Latin irregularitat-, irregularitas, from Late Latin irregularis

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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IRREGULARITY Defined for English Language Learners

irregularity

noun

Definition of irregularity for English Language Learners

: the quality or state of being irregular
: something that is irregular
: something that is not usual or proper and that usually indicates dishonest behavior