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

One possibility that didn’t come up at the meeting: White could file a lawsuit questioning the validity of the signatures on the recall petitions. —Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025

Recently, some researchers have questioned the validity of the glass cliff theory. —Kim Elsesser, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

But up in space, nobody asked Elio for a passport or questioned the validity of his existence. —Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025

As Neptune stations retrograde in Aries and your 11th house of friendship, community and individual freedom, you are forced to question the validity of your collaborations, associations and long-term goals. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 8 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1577, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for validity

• acidity
• aridity
• avidity
• cupidity
• fluidity
• humidity
• liquidity
• lucidity
• morbidity
• placidity
• rancidity
• rapidity

Kids Definition

validity

noun

va·​lid·​i·​ty

və-ˈlid-ət-ē,

va-

: the quality or state of being valid