legally

adverb

le·​gal·​ly ˈlē-gə-lē How to pronounce legally (audio)
1
: in a legal manner : in accordance with the law
a transfer that was not done legally
a drug that can now be legally bought and sold in many countries
2
: from the point of view of law
Legally, she had no claim to the estate.
They were not legally obligated to provide assistance.
a person who is legally blind [=who is blind according to the legal definition of blindness]
legally drunk [=drunk according to the legal definition of drunkenness]

Examples of legally in a Sentence

that's not a move that can be made legally in chess
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trump empowers deportation agents to target migrants allowed into U.S. legally In: Salt Lake City Cold Case Murder Utah Emily Mae Czachor Emily Mae Czachor is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2025 The governor wanted to require businesses to verify that a person trying to send money abroad is living in the country legally and create penalties for businesses that fail to do so. Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025 Vance had clearly heard it all before and was quick to point out that protecting America and Americans, including migrants here legally, is President Donald Trump’s No. 1 job. Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Jan. 2025 For those who must travel with firearms, the TSA has clear instructions on how to legally do so. Rachel Wolf, Fox News, 25 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for legally 

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of legally was in 1581

Dictionary Entries Near legally

Cite this Entry

“Legally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legally. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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