validity

va·lid·i·ty | \ və-ˈli-də-tē

How to pronounce validity (audio)

, va- \

Definition of validity

: 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 Conservatives, however, are already preparing to challenge the validity of the ERA, arguing the deadline to ratify the bill has passed. — Amber C. Snider, refinery29.com, "Every Woman Should Know These U.S. Laws In 2020," 30 Jan. 2020 However, if there are multiple beneficiaries or a contest over the validity of the will, then being an executor is like swimming in a pool full of hungry sharks. — Dallas News, "Estate administration," 6 Jan. 2020 Bolivia erupted in violent protests after Mr. Morales claimed to have won an unprecedented fourth term last month despite concerns from electoral observers over the validity of the results. — New York Times, "Bolivian Leader Clings to Power as Police Join Protesters," 9 Nov. 2019 Many have questioned the validity of China’s coronavirus reporting. — Madison Dibble, Washington Examiner, "China adds 769 confirmed cases of coronavirus in 24-hour period," 27 Jan. 2020 An industry group has calculated that manufacturing contributes a small fraction — around 2% — to overall drug pollution, though academic experts and environmental consultants question the validity of this estimate. — Natasha Gilbert, STAT, "‘Dump it down the drain’: How contaminants from prescription-drug factories pollute waterways," 11 Dec. 2019 Our hope is to see if there is any validity in what turns men on and off in a relationship. — Essence, "Read What Black Men Dislike the Most About Dating," 18 Oct. 2019 The basic premise is that investors should rigorously test the validity of an investment idea — or rely on credible research that has done so — before putting their money behind it. — Washington Post, "When the Evidence Is Solid and the Returns Aren’t," 25 Sep. 2019 All of this may cast doubt on the validity of Mr Reed’s conviction, but none of it proves his innocence. — S.m. | New York, The Economist, "Texas plans to execute a man who says DNA evidence could exonerate him," 23 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'validity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

15 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Validity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/validity. Accessed 20 Feb. 2020.

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