reliability

noun

re·​li·​abil·​i·​ty ri-ˌlī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being reliable

2

: the extent to which an experiment, test, or measuring procedure yields the same results on repeated trials

Synonyms of reliability

• reliableness
• dependability
• responsibility
• trustworthiness
• solidity

Examples of reliability in a Sentence

we never had reason to question the reliability of the park rangers in the event of an emergency

Recent Examples on the Web

The reliability of the government’s list became a central issue in the litigation. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026

Price improvement matters, but so does available liquidity, fill probability, execution speed, reliability, order size and market impact. — Adam Cohn, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

The partners will also test the magnet’s resilience to help determine its reliability and support high plant availability. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026

Matthew’s view For decades, Gulf oil and gas companies boasted of their reliability. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for reliability

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility

Kids Definition

reliability

noun

re·​li·​abil·​i·​ty ri-ˌlī-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural reliabilities

: the quality or state of being reliable

Medical Definition

reliability

noun

re·​li·​abil·​i·​ty ri-ˌlī-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural reliabilities

: the extent to which an experiment, test, or measuring procedure yields the same results on repeated trials