Legal Definitions - legitimate

In legal contexts, the term legitimate generally refers to something that is lawful, valid, genuine, or recognized as proper and acceptable according to established rules or principles.

When used as an adjective, legitimate describes something that is legally permissible, factually sound, or morally justifiable. When used as a verb, to legitimize means to make something lawful, valid, or officially recognized.

• Example 1 (Adjective - Valid/Genuine):

  A university student seeking an extension on a major assignment due to illness would need to provide a legitimate medical certificate from a doctor. This means the certificate must be genuine, properly issued, and reflect a valid reason for the requested extension, adhering to the university's policies.

  Explanation: Here, "legitimate" emphasizes that the medical certificate must be authentic and represent a genuine, acceptable reason for the student's request, making it valid under the university's rules.

• Example 2 (Adjective - Lawful/Proper Justification):

  Before a bank can freeze a customer's account, it typically requires a legitimate legal basis, such as a court order or evidence of suspicious activity related to financial crime. Without such a basis, freezing an account would be an unlawful action.

  Explanation: In this context, "legitimate" refers to a legally recognized and proper justification that permits an action (freezing an account) which would otherwise be a violation of the customer's rights or banking regulations.

• Example 3 (Verb - To make legally recognized):

  When a new country is formed, its government often seeks international recognition and enters into treaties to legitimize its status as a sovereign nation on the global stage.

  Explanation: This illustrates "legitimize" as the act of taking steps (like signing treaties) to gain official, lawful recognition and acceptance for something (the country's sovereignty) that might otherwise be disputed or unrecognized.