legitimacy

American  

[li-jit-uh-muh-see] / lɪˈdʒɪt ə mə si /

noun

1. the state or quality of being legitimate.

   Synonyms:

   rightfulness, legality, lawfulness

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Other Word Forms

• nonlegitimacy noun

Etymology

Origin of legitimacy

First recorded in 1685–95; legitim(ate) + -acy

Example Sentences

As demonstrated by the outbreaks of the English Civil War in 1642 and the French Revolution in 1789, fiscal breakdown caused a loss of political legitimacy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Experts said that if the affidavit was based on information sourced from the activists, it would raise questions about the raid’s legitimacy.

From Salon

"Direct contact with nature gave the friars legitimacy, special spiritual powers and access to valuable natural resources including timber, crops and wild animals," Dr. Ilko says.

From Science Daily

“The external influence matters, but the internal message about legitimacy is always central.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Demonstrations began in late December after a sharp fall in the value of the Iranian currency, but swiftly evolved into a crisis of legitimacy for the country's clerical leadership.

From BBC

Related Words

• authority
• justice
• validity