eligibility

noun

el·​i·​gi·​bil·​i·​ty ˌe-lə-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce eligibility (audio)
: the quality or state of being eligible : fitness or suitability to be chosen, selected, or allowed to do something
The applicants must meet all requirements for eligibility.
… should "Shoeless Joe" Jackson, of "Black Sox" infamy, also be granted eligibility for the Hall of Fame?—David A. Kaplan
Mass mailings go out to low-income areas, and if a letter is returned as undeliverable, the party uses it to challenge that voter's eligibility.—Sasha Abramsky

Examples of eligibility in a Sentence

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.
The person being vouched for also must verify their identity and eligibility by providing their Minnesota driver's license or identification card number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. — Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026 What a Protection Plan Actually Costs American Dream Auto Protect confirms eligibility during the quote process rather than publishing a fixed age or mileage cutoff, so drivers of older cars shouldn’t assume they’re priced out without asking. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026 At this point, both teams are just playing for bowl eligibility, with brutal November schedules awaiting each team. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2026 After advancing to the Elite Eight last season for the first time under Ivey, the Irish lost their top six scorers behind Hidalgo, all but one to exhausted eligibility or professional basketball. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for eligibility

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eligibility was in 1651

Phrases Containing eligibility

Rhymes for eligibility

See All Rhymes for eligibility

Browse Nearby Words

elidible
eligibility
eligible
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Cite this Entry

“Eligibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eligibility. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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