1. the quality or state of being in accordance with the law; legality
2. the quality of being morally right or justified

Examples

• The court questioned the lawfulness of the police search.
• Citizens have a right to challenge the lawfulness of government actions.
• The lawyer argued for the lawfulness of his client’s business practices.
• The committee reviewed the lawfulness of the proposed regulations.
• She acted with complete lawfulness throughout the investigation.
• The lawfulness of the contract was never in dispute.