irregularity

noun

ir·​reg·​u·​lar·​i·​ty i-ˌre-gyə-ˈler-ə-tē 

ˌi(r)-,

-ˈla-rə-

plural irregularities

1

: something that is irregular (such as improper or dishonest conduct)

alleged irregularities in the city government

2

: the quality or state of being irregular

3

: constipation

Examples of irregularity in a Sentence

the irregularity of his behavior

He is suffering from irregularity.

Recent Examples on the Web

What Is Wabi-Sabi Style? Wabi-sabi has its roots in Buddhism, when tea was ceremoniously served in handmade bowls that were prized in spite of any imperfections or irregularities. —Pj Feinstein, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2024

Minor disruptions from last week's geomagnetic storm The solar storm, which prompted NOAA to issue a watch alert for the first time in 19 years, caused some power grid irregularities and interfered with GPS signals – even farming equipment. —Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 18 May 2024

Hinting at irregularities in the 2020 election — which seems to be the price of admission to the GOP these days — Hovde repeated bogus claims of widespread voting fraud at Wisconsin nursing homes. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2024

The historic storm—a major disturbance in the magnetosphere—led to reports of power grid irregularities and disruptions to high-frequency communications, GPS and satellite navigation. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2024

Risks and Side Effects: Like any cosmetic procedure, fillers come with risks such as allergic reactions, infections and possibly lumps or irregularities if not done correctly. —Carlos Wolf, Miami Herald, 11 May 2024

North, who resigned from the NRA in 2019, said he was pushed out after raising allegations of financial irregularities. —Jake Offenhartz, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2024

The imaging system found irregularities in the roof and a front quarter panel. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2024

For every piece of regularity for this team, there’s irregularity nearby. —Jannelle Moore, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English irregularite, from Medieval Latin irregularitat-, irregularitas, from Late Latin irregularis

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

irregularity

noun

ir·​reg·​u·​lar·​i·​ty (ˌ)ir-ˌ(r)eg-yə-ˈlar-ət-ē 

plural irregularities

1

: the quality or state of being irregular

2

: something (as dishonest conduct) that is irregular

3

: constipation

Medical Definition

irregularity

noun

ir·​reg·​u·​lar·​i·​ty (ˌ)ir-ˌ(r)eg-yə-ˈlar-ət-ē 

plural irregularities

1

: the quality or state of being irregular

irregularity of breathing

hormonal irregularities

2

: occasional constipation

more fiber in one's diet may help relieve irregularity

Legal Definition

irregularity

noun

ir·​reg·​u·​lar·​i·​ty ir-ˌre-gyə-ˈlar-ə-tē 

plural irregularities

: something that is irregular

an irregularity in the proceeding