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

Last week, Warner joined fellow Virginia senator Tim Kaine in criticizing the legality and the judgment of the administration’s military actions in the Caribbean, including boat strikes and preparations for a possible land invasion. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025

Those strikes have been the subject of intense scrutiny in Congress over their legality. —Spencer Kimball,eamon Javers, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025

Military officials briefed a small number of lawmakers on the early September incident last week as its legality faces increasing scrutiny. —Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025

Since then, Congress members have raised questions on the legality of the military’s actions and who gave such an order. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 8 Dec. 2025

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