legality

noun

le·gal·i·ty | \ li-ˈga-lə-tē

How to pronounce legality (audio)

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plural legalities

Definition of legality

1 : attachment to or observance of law

2 : the quality or state of being legal : lawfulness

3 legalities plural : obligations imposed by law

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about legality

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Examples of legality in a Sentence

the senator questioned the legality of the proposed espionage operation

Recent Examples on the Web In the run-up to the election, state courts faced open questions about the legality of Harris’ programs, said David Coale, a Dallas appellate lawyer. — James Barragán, Dallas News, "Former Harris County clerk: No ‘regrets’ over voting programs that sparked Texas legislative backlash," 16 Apr. 2021 Questions persist about the legality of the historic horse racing machines. — oregonlive, "Return of horse racing makes for a crowded field in the contest for Oregon gambling dollar," 3 Apr. 2021 So on Wednesday, the four-member Hamilton County Board of Elections approved the revisions by taking out those two lines that talked about the legality of the money. — Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, "After Supreme Court order, final language for Issue 3 affordable housing amendment approved.," 31 Mar. 2021 Gatherings in Everard’s memory were officially canceled after talks between organizers and police broke down over disagreements about the legality of groups congregating amid lockdown restrictions. — Washington Post, "Watchdog defends police handling of protest that caused uproar in Britain," 30 Mar. 2021 The depth of the division's contract-oversight problems became more apparent in the summer of 2019, when an internal whistleblower raised alarms about the legality of some of the contracts. — Chris Serres, Star Tribune, "Despite hurdles, Minnesota DHS chief continues push to clean up agency's financial mess," 26 Mar. 2021 But the appeals court sent the case back to Underhill for further argument about the legality of the conditions in which Reynolds and perhaps other former death row inmates are confined. — Edmund H. Mahony, courant.com, "An appeals court blasts state’s early effort to end capital punishment and questions prison conditions of a former death row inmate," 11 Mar. 2021 Hotze was also part of a group of individuals who unsuccessfully tried to challenge the legality of drive-thru voting in Harris County. — Juan A. Lozano, USA TODAY, "Former Houston police captain held repairman hostage in attempt to prove voter fraud," 17 Dec. 2020 Hotze was also part of a group of individuals who unsuccessfully tried to challenge the legality of drive-thru voting in Harris County. — Juan Lozano, Anchorage Daily News, "Former Houston officer charged with assault on air conditioner repairman in attempt to prove election conspiracy, police say," 16 Dec. 2020

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

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Last Updated

20 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Legality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legality. Accessed 20 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for legality

legality

noun

le·gal·i·ty | \ li-ˈga-lə-tē

\

plural legalities

Legal Definition of legality

1 : attachment to or observance of law

2 : the quality or state of being legal : lawfulness

3 plural : obligations imposed by law

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