modality

noun

mo·​dal·​i·​ty mō-ˈda-lə-tē 

plural modalities

1

a

: the quality or state of being modal

b

: a modal quality or attribute : form

2

: the classification of logical propositions (see proposition sense 1) according to their asserting or denying the possibility, impossibility, contingency, or necessity of their content

3

: one of the main avenues of sensation (such as vision)

4

: a usually physical therapeutic agency

Examples of modality in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

All those modalities have come into the sphere of Fourth Amendment protection. —John E. Jones, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026

Microsoft plans to add force sensing and other modalities in future versions. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026

Emerging New Modalities The trend that most excites me is the rise of new therapeutic modalities that could significantly improve patients’ lives across many diseases. —Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026

Wellness practitioners and medical professionals are embracing cannabis as a versatile tool — one that complements yoga, meditation, nutrition, and other health modalities. —Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for modality

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

Medical Definition

modality

noun

mo·​dal·​i·​ty mō-ˈdal-ət-ē 

plural modalities

1

: one of the main avenues of sensation (as vision)

2

a

: a usually physical therapeutic agency

b

: an apparatus for applying a modality