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

When pressed as to whether there is any validity to concerns that his use of blackface could be viewed offensively — if perhaps the resounding outrage has any merit — Forster is defensive. —Alana Wise, NPR, 7 June 2024

Several people familiar with psychedelic research, but not involved in the Phase 3 studies, agreed that if serious adverse events weren’t reported, that would call into question the validity of the trial data. —Olivia Goldhill, STAT, 31 May 2024

However, Vatican approval will be required before ruling on the validity of those reports. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 17 May 2024

Their inability to constrain their personal biases and partisan interests undermines any trust anyone should have in them and the validity of their declarations about Trump. —Shermichael Singleton, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1577, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

validity

noun

va·​lid·​i·​ty

və-ˈlid-ət-ē,

va-

: the quality or state of being valid