validity

noun

va·​lid·​i·​ty və-ˈli-də-tē 

va-

: the quality or state of being valid: such as

a

: the state of being acceptable according to the law

The validity of the contract is being questioned.

What the federal courts have ruled … is that renunciations made behind barbed wire were essentially under duress, and thus of no legal validity.

—Roger Daniels

b

: the quality of being well-grounded, sound, or correct

the validity of an argument/theory

Other researchers have questioned the validity of the test results.

Later he acknowledged that there was no validity to his report.

—David Hiltbrand

Examples of validity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Both sides appealed then, as prosecutors were seeking a five-year prison term and defense lawyers were questioning the validity of the evidence. — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2026

Officials have said little about the authenticity of the letters, leaving questions about their validity unanswered. — Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 23 June 2026

Meanwhile, the longtime partnership between West and Hayne has come under scrutiny from civil rights attorneys, forensic experts and the courts over concerns about the validity of their techniques. — Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 29 June 2026

Objections are filed when someone, typically connected to an opposing campaign, challenges the validity of a nominating petition in an effort to remove a candidate from the ballot. — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1577, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for validity

• acidity
• aridity
• avidity
• cupidity
• fluidity
• humidity
• liquidity
• lucidity
• morbidity
• placidity
• rancidity
• rapidity

Kids Definition

validity

noun

va·​lid·​i·​ty

və-ˈlid-ət-ē, 

va-

: the quality or state of being valid