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

The Oscar winner was set to appear in court again in November to hash out the validity of their premarital agreement, but reached a settlement instead. —Jack Smart, People.com, 16 June 2025

The Supreme Court majority opinion, delivered by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, argued that the Tax Court does not have the authority to consider the validity of an individual's tax obligations in the absence of a levy. —Jenna Sundel jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025

Extending Altera By confirming the income method’s general validity, Facebook tentatively vindicates the foundations of the current cost-sharing regulations. —Ryan Finley, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025

Once its validity is confirmed, there's a trove of information authorities can glean from it. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 4 June 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