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
Examples of legality in a Sentence
the senator questioned the legality of the proposed surveillance operation
Recent Examples on the Web
In the House, members were poised to vote on several contentious bills, including on the legality of warrantless surveillance and on funding the Department of Homeland Security, which has been shut down since mid-February.
—
Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
Moderator Julie Watts noted that California home insurance rates are below the national average and questioned the legality of a freeze.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
The Virginia Supreme Court denied an effort on Tuesday to resume certification of last week’s referendum to enact a new congressional map friendly to Democrats, as the Old Dominion’s highest court continues to weigh the legality of the vote itself.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
However, Judge Cooper stopped short of ruling on the weightier questions of Beatty’s ability to vote during board meetings or the legality of the changes to the Kennedy Center.
—Steven Portnoy, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legality
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Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
Moderator Julie Watts noted that California home insurance rates are below the national average and questioned the legality of a freeze.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
The Virginia Supreme Court denied an effort on Tuesday to resume certification of last week’s referendum to enact a new congressional map friendly to Democrats, as the Old Dominion’s highest court continues to weigh the legality of the vote itself.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
However, Judge Cooper stopped short of ruling on the weightier questions of Beatty’s ability to vote during board meetings or the legality of the changes to the Kennedy Center.
—Steven Portnoy, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legality
Cite this Entry
“Legality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legality. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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