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

Sometimes reliability says what sentiment struggles to put into words. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

They're known for their reliability and quality, and the Apple AirPods 4 exemplify that. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026

The move will bring the technology’s anomaly detection capabilities into I-care’s wider reliability offering. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026

Whatever cartel-like behavior does emerge will probably look less like coordinated price-fixing and more like the airline industry, which competes on reliability and bundled extras as the underlying product commoditizes. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 17 Sep. 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