legal age

noun

Definition of legal age

: the age at which a person enters into full adult legal rights and responsibilities (as of making contracts or wills)

Examples of legal age in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While there is no legal age limit for driving in the United Kingdom, drivers over 70 are required to renew their licenses frequently—every three years. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Prince Philip Officially Surrenders Driver's License Following His Controversial Car Crash," 9 Feb. 2019 Washington state now requires purchasers of rifles or shotguns to be at least 21, raising the legal age from 18, as Florida did several months ago. — Jacob Gershman, WSJ, "New for 2019: Laws on Guns, Harassment, Cannabis-Spiked Drinks," 2 Jan. 2019 In California, the legal age limit to buy tobacco products is 21 years old. — David Hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Chula Vista sets rules for tobacco retailers," 14 Mar. 2018 According to the International Labor Organization, a U.N. agency focused on setting labor standards and policies, a child is not allowed to work below a country's minimum legal age, which is 15 in most nations. — Sam Mednick, Fox News, "In South Sudan, some children work in mines to survive," 12 Sep. 2018 With only a black market, there would be none of the identification checks required of legal businesses to ensure all buyers are of legal age. — BostonGlobe.com, "Should Northborough ban recreational and medical marijuana businesses?," 20 Apr. 2018 Initiative 1639 will raise the legal age to buy semiautomatic rifles — widely described as assault rifles — from 18 to 21. — German Lopez, Vox, "Washington votes to strengthen gun laws with Initiative 1639," 7 Nov. 2018 In its statement, the FDA says that some e-cigarette companies suggested combatting that by upping the legal age for purchasing tobacco to 21. — Rachel Becker, The Verge, "FDA asks e-cigarette giants to help regulate themselves," 31 Oct. 2018 Even her birthday cake was topped with a Barbie doll, face down in the icing, as Kylie has finally reached the legal age to drink. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kylie Jenner Snuggling with Baby Stormi in Her Instagram Stories Will Melt Your Heart," 25 Aug. 2018

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

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15 Mar 2019

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The first known use of legal age was in 1658

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More Definitions for legal age

legal age

noun

le·gal age | \ ˈlē-gəl-

Medical Definition of legal age

: the age at which a person enters into full adult legal rights and responsibilities (as of making contracts or wills)

legal age

noun

Legal Definition of legal age

: an age at which a person becomes entitled under the law to engage in a particular activity or becomes responsible for particular acts the legal age for drinking in this state broadly : age of majority — compare age of consent, emancipate