validity

[vuh-lid-i-tee]

noun

1. the state or quality of being valid.

   to question the validity of the argument.

2. legal soundness or force.

Other Word Forms

• nonvalidity noun
• prevalidity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of validity¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Late Latin validitās; equivalent to valid + -ity

Example Sentences

Outrage spread quickly through the Hall of Administration Thursday as supervisors began to question the validity of some of the claims the government was poised to pay out.

From Los Angeles Times

Notably, foreign professionals will not need backing from a local employer to be granted the visa - and will enjoy more flexibility in terms of the number of entries, validity period and duration of stay.

From BBC

The report said that the initial calls for fire did not match the location of destroyed structures, appearing to question the validity of those early calls and the presence of flames.

From Los Angeles Times

The Times was unable to verify the validity of the account.

From Los Angeles Times

The audio recording that called the validity of the identification into question was never raised at Eagle’s trial, according to Baca.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• effectiveness 
• efficacy 
• gravity 
• legality 
• legitimacy 
• potency 
• soundness 
• substance