legality

noun

le·​gal·​i·​ty li-ˈga-lə-tē 

plural legalities

1

: attachment to or observance of law

2

: the quality or state of being legal : lawfulness

3

legalities plural : obligations imposed by law

Synonyms of legality

• legitimacy

Examples of legality in a Sentence

the senator questioned the legality of the proposed surveillance operation

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the report, the two commissioners questioned the legality of some of the decisions, but Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar disregarded their objections. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

On Wednesday, the Libertarian and Green parties became the latest groups to challenge the legality of that campaign system. — David Wickert, AJC.com, 1 Oct. 2026

And while lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have questioned their legality, Republicans — who currently control both the House and the Senate — have not acted. — Alayna Treene, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026

Immigration attorney Morella Aguado, who is not involved in Cervelo's case, told CBS News Miami that a habeas corpus petition allows someone in immigration detention to challenge the legality of their detention in federal court. — Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for legality

• banality
• bestiality
• brutality
• carnality
• centrality
• chirality
• duality
• fatality
• finality
• formality
• frugality
• lethality

Kids Definition

legality

noun

le·​gal·​i·​ty li-ˈgal-ət-ē 

plural legalities

1

: the quality or state of being legal : lawfulness

2

: something that is required by law

Legal Definition

legality

noun

le·​gal·​i·​ty li-ˈga-lə-tē 

plural legalities

1

: attachment to or observance of law

2

: the quality or state of being legal : lawfulness

3

plural : obligations imposed by law