legality

noun

le·​gal·​i·​ty li-ˈga-lə-tē 

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

Synonyms of legality

• legitimacy

Examples of legality in a Sentence

the senator questioned the legality of the proposed surveillance operation

Recent Examples on the Web

The federal government has also questioned the legality and safety of cannabinoid ingredients used in food. — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

The deportations have raised litigation and questions about their legality. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026

Gershman emphasized that he had been asked to assess legality, not ethics. — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 17 July 2026

Beyond logistics, the legality of federalizing election processes is murky. — Sorelle Wyckoff Gaynor, The Conversation, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for legality

• banality
• bestiality
• brutality
• carnality
• centrality
• chirality
• duality
• fatality
• finality
• formality
• frugality
• lethality

Kids Definition

legality

noun

le·​gal·​i·​ty li-ˈgal-ət-ē 

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 

plural legalities

1

: attachment to or observance of law

2

: the quality or state of being legal : lawfulness

3

plural : obligations imposed by law