modality

American  

[moh-dal-i-tee] / moʊˈdæl ɪ ti /

noun

• modalities
  plural

1. the quality or state of being modal.

2. an attribute or circumstance that denotes mode or manner.

3. Also called mode.  Logic. the classification of propositions according to whether they are contingently true or false, possible, impossible, or necessary.

4. Medicine/Medical. the application of a therapeutic agent, usually a physical therapeutic agent.

5. one of the primary forms of sensation, as vision or touch.

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modality British  

/ məʊˈdælɪtɪ /

noun

1. the condition of being modal

2. a quality, attribute, or circumstance that denotes mode, mood, or manner

3. logic the property of a statement of being classified under one of the concepts studied by modal logic, esp necessity or possibility

4. any physical or electrical therapeutic method or agency

5. any of the five senses

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• multimodality
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• modalities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of modality

From the Medieval Latin word modālitās, dating back to 1610–20. See modal, -ity

Explanation

A modality is the way or mode in which something exists or is done. You might often see it used with reference to diagnostic modality, which is the way in which a disease or illness is diagnosed by a doctor. Modality shares its root with the word mode, meaning "the way in which something happens or is experienced." A sensory modality is a way of sensing, like vision or hearing. Modality in someone's voice gives a sense of the person's mood. In logic, modality has to do with whether a proposition is necessary, possible, or impossible. In general, a modality is a particular way in which something exists.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

modality modalities

Moderna and Merck’s promising new cancer vaccine signals the arrival of an exciting new treatment modality.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026

For now, Anderon’s client base will be limited to quantum-computing firms using the same quantum-computing modality as IBM, although it plans to eventually expand to other modalities based on demand.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

Rigetti favors a modality called superconducting quantum, building modular, multi-chip processors and operating them at near-absolute zero temperatures.

From Barron's ● Jun. 9, 2026

Smart glasses are gaining traction as "that next modality" to follow the success of the smartphone, she added.

From BBC ● May 19, 2026

Who could have invented such an odd modality?

From New, Old, and Forgotten Remedies: Papers by Many Writers by Edward Pollock Anshutz

The experience inspired him to learn other healing modalities, including breath work and sound meditation: the latter of which reignited his musical appreciation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

"We will be working on the modalities - dates, procedures, places - very soon."

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026

Multiple sensing modalities, however, need to be fused together and agree.

From Barron's ● May 4, 2026

This collaboration enables and supports all students to excel—adapting learning modalities to their specific needs, using advanced technology, and employing specially trained teachers alongside classroom educators.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 27, 2026

A social average of individual modalities interests us more than the incommunicable originality of our deeper life.

From A New Philosophy: Henri Bergson by Vincent Benson