legitimation

plural legitimations

1. uncountableusuallyThe process of making or declaring a person legitimate.

   The Harvard psychologist and bestselling author Steven Pinker appeared on the podcast of Aporia, an outlet whose owners advocate for a revival of race science and have spoken of seeking “legitimation by association” by platforming more mainstream figures.

   2025 June 7, Jason Wilson, “Harvard author Steven Pinker appears on podcast linked to scientific racism”, in The Guardian, →ISSN, archived from the original on 25 Jul 2025

2. obsoleteuncountableusuallyLegitimacy.

   I am not Sir Roberts sonne, / I haue disclaim'd Sir Robert and my land, / Legitimation, name, and all is gone […].

   c. 1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]

3. uncountableusuallyThe act of establishing something as lawful; authorization.

   Le Paige established a legitimation for the Parlement's authority which was part history, part romantic fiction, and part political wishful thinking.

   2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin, published 2003, page 231