purity

noun

pu·​ri·​ty ˈpyu̇r-ə-tē How to pronounce purity (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being pure
2

Examples of purity in a Sentence

struggling to live a life of purity while surrounded by wickedness
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The experiment relies on detecting the faint interactions between hypothetical dark matter particles and atoms of liquid xenon, a noble gas chosen for its purity and stability. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025 And yet, Lightfoot’s stubborn purity is surely why listeners recognize his sincerity in memorializing such a tragic event. John U. Bacon, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025 The purity of the classroom experience is one of the reasons people become professors in the first place. Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025 The people around me shouted with such purity of rage, such absence of self-consciousness. Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for purity

Word History

Etymology

Middle English purete, from Anglo-French purité, from Late Latin puritat-, puritas, from Latin purus pure

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of purity was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Purity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purity. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

purity

noun
pu·​ri·​ty ˈpyu̇r-ət-ē How to pronounce purity (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being pure : freedom from impurities
2
: freedom from guilt or sin

Medical Definition

purity

noun
pu·​ri·​ty ˈpyu̇r-ət-ē How to pronounce purity (audio)
: the quality or state of being pure

More from Merriam-Webster on purity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!