noun

legality

lih-GAL-uh-tee/lɪˈɡæləti/

Conformity to the requirements of law.

The stamped permit establishes the legality of the vendor's street business.

A permitted street vendor shows a plain stamped permit with a checkmark to a municipal inspector who nods, lawful status, no prose.

Etymology

legLatinlaw, enactment

+alLatinpertaining to

+ityLatinstate or quality

The endings turn the law root into a quality or state. Legality originally described law-abiding behavior or character; in the selected sense, it names the state of being permitted by law.

In context

UBCinterdisciplinary24:37

what the legality is in terms of disclosing in this information at this point like if you run a full sequence are you legally as a physician obligated to disclose this information can you get sued

Debate: Who should determine the nature and extent of genome testing results conveyed to patients?

More examples

Residents question the legality of the parking fees.
The policy's legality does not make it fair.
Our lawyer handles the legalities of selling the business.

Forms

legality · legalities

legal adjective — Allowed by or relating to law.

legally adverb — In a way allowed by law.

Similar words

lawfulness: Describes compliance with law, without also meaning legal formalities.
legitimacy: Can include social or moral acceptance, not just legal conformity.