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

At the core of the controversy is the looming uncertainty surrounding the legality of the upcoming election itself. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026

The legality of detaining civil immigration detainees at Guantanamo is still being litigated. —Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 13 May 2026

The legality of the raid is being disputed in court, and there has not been any evidence of voter fraud in the 2020 election. —Irene Wright, USA Today, 13 May 2026

Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry said authorities were reviewing the situation to determine the legality of the activity. —Eileen Ng, Fortune, 13 May 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