legitimacy

Definition

The quality or state of being legitimate or valid; validity.

Etymology

From legitimate + -cy.

Example Sentences

• "The legitimacy based on a revolutionary essence was replaced by legitimacy with an ultranational, ultra-Yugoslav character."
• "After decades of inequality and oppression, the regime had lost legitimacy with its own population."
• "The fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 was seen by many as proof of capitalism’s legitimacy over communism."