legitimacy

noun

le·​git·​i·​ma·​cy li-ˈji-tə-mə-sē How to pronounce legitimacy (audio)
: the quality or state of being legitimate

Examples of legitimacy in a Sentence

the legitimacy of the military dictatorship was not recognized by most other nations
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Using the military to quash peaceful protestors endangers the legitimacy of our armed forces in the eyes of the American public. Time, 1 July 2025 But technology, no matter how advanced, cannot instill legitimacy on its own. Bruce Schneier, The Conversation, 27 June 2025 Many governments in the region draw legitimacy from their ability to deliver strong economic performance. Yuen Foong Khong, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025 Russia has attempted to mediate and tried to use this as a way of de-escalating, though Russia doesn’t really have much legitimacy as a mediator at the moment because of the downturn in Russian-Israeli relations. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for legitimacy

Word History

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of legitimacy was in 1625

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Legitimacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legitimacy. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

legitimacy

noun
le·​git·​i·​ma·​cy li-ˈjit-ə-mə-sē How to pronounce legitimacy (audio)
: the quality or state of being legitimate

Legal Definition

legitimacy

noun
le·​git·​i·​ma·​cy li-ˈji-tə-mə-sē How to pronounce legitimacy (audio)
: the quality or state of being legitimate

More from Merriam-Webster on legitimacy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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