legitimacy

4 definitions • 6 examples

the quality of being legal :

The lawyers expressed serious doubts about the legitimacy of military action.

the quality of being reasonable and acceptable:

She challenged the legitimacy of the previous speaker's arguments.

the fact of being allowed by law or done according to the rules of an organization or activity:

the legitimacy of sth Several judges expressed doubts as to the legitimacy of the tribunal.

question/challenge/accept the legitimacy of sth Findings by the Ombudsman also question the legitimacy of banks and building societies imposing restrictions which limit savers' choice.

the state of being fair or honest:

the legitimacy of sth The legitimacy of awarding large bonuses to senior executives is being increasingly called into question.

confer/add/gain legitimacy Organizations are often pressurized to adopt the same practices or structures as other firms in order to gain legitimacy.