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

Check the validity of the email before clicking on anything. —Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

Instead of diminishing the book’s validity, errata lists lent an air of credibility; at least, the thinking went, someone had taken the time to point out what was wrong. —Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026

Always verify the validity of requests before sharing personal information. —Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 18 May 2026

Once police discover Isaiah’s suspicions about Coltrane had validity, Coltrane and his wife Ebony (Cleopatra Coleman) try to flee the country. —Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 16 May 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