What does "validity" mean?

1. (truth or logic) the quality of being based on truth or sound reasoning. 2. (legal force) the state of being legally acceptable or official. 3. (scientific accuracy) how well a test or experiment actually measures what it says it is measuring.

validity

US //vəˈɫɪdəti// UK //vælˈɪdɪti// va·lid·i·ty

1 truth or logic (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

the quality of being based on truth or sound reasoning.

the state of being logically or factually sound; the quality of being well-grounded in evidence.

Example

The lawyer questioned the validity of the witness's claims during the trial.

Example

The researchers spent months gathering data to ensure the validity of their conclusions before submitting the paper for peer review.
- soundness
- truth
- logic
- falsity
- invalidity
2 legal force (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

the state of being legally acceptable or official.

the state of being legally binding or officially acceptable under a set of rules.

Example

The contract lost its validity after the deadline passed.

Example

The court ruled that the document lacked legal validity because it had not been signed in the presence of a notary.
- legality
- authority
- nullity

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3 scientific accuracy (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Academic Science

how well a test or experiment actually measures what it says it is measuring.

the extent to which a concept, conclusion, or measurement is well-founded and corresponds accurately to the real world.

Example

The scientists checked the validity of the test to make sure the results were correct.

Example

Critics argued that the study lacked external validity, as the results from the small laboratory group could not be applied to the general population.
- accuracy
- relevance
- bias

Origin

From valid + -ity, borrowed from Middle French validité, from Late Latin validitas.