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 Stroud-Young situation prompted some to reconsider the validity of these cognitive exams. —Cale Clinton, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025

The simple passing of time adds value and validity to Framework’s approach, and today’s news drives that home. —Jason Evangelho, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025

Officials then requested scientific tests to determine the validity of the claim. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Feb. 2025

The Heritage Foundation and the Project 2025 authors dispute the validity of the carbon price point, despite the broad scientific consensus supporting the methodology, on technical grounds. —Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 21 Feb. 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