cause

1 of 2

noun

ˈkȯz

: a reason for an action or condition : motive

: something that brings about an effect or a result

trying to find the cause of the accident

: a person or thing that is the occasion of an action or state

a cause for celebration

especially : an agent that brings something about

She is the cause of your troubles.

: sufficient reason

discharged for cause

: a ground of legal action

: case

They are paid by the cause for their expert opinions.

: a matter or question to be decided

The city council is involved with school department causes.

: a principle or movement militantly defended or supported

the insurgents' cause

: a charitable undertaking

for a good cause

causeless

ˈkȯz-ləs

adjective

cause

2 of 2

verb

caused; causing

transitive verb

: to serve as a cause or occasion of

cause an accident

: to compel by command, authority, or force

caused him to resign

causer noun

Example Sentences

Noun His symptoms had no apparent physical causes. She is the cause of all their problems. The medicine was prescribed without good cause. Their marriage was a cause for celebration. I can support a cause that means something to me. I'm willing to donate money as long as it's for a good cause. Verb He swerved and caused an accident. The flood caused great hardship. The illness is caused by a virus. The flood caused the town great hardship. You caused us a lot of extra work. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The document, published in 1870, called for moms everywhere to come together for the cause of universal peace. —

Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2023 An investigation into the cause of the crash is still ongoing, police said. —

Johnny Dodd, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2023 And that was a victory for the cause of freedom, which never has enough foul-weather friends. —

Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 10 Feb. 2023 That’s the medical term for the cause of a hot flash. —

Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 9 Feb. 2023 This year her shop is even teaming up for a cause, partnering with a dog rescue, so for those who donate $35, their flower deliveries come with a quick rescue pup visit. —

Sarah Ewall-wice, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2023 His grandfather Amarnath Vidyalankar spent his life fighting for India’s independence from British rule, even spending a few years in jail for the cause. —

Sakshi Venkatraman, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2023 Volunteering for a cause important to you, sustaining family values and relationships, and sharing your talents and experiences with others all embody this concept of leaving your mark on the world as mortality becomes more imminent. —

BostonGlobe.com, 3 Feb. 2023 He was later terminated for cause in 2019 after an incident involving misconduct at a company event came to the attention of the board, according to McDonald’s. —

Paolo Confino, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2023

Verb

Frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, represents a group of brain disorders cause by the degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain, the AFTD says. —

Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2023 Though Malpass claims to have made the decision on his own, his departure follows months of controversy over his comments equivocating as to whether fossil fuels cause global warming. —

Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 16 Feb. 2023 If left untreated, tuberculosis can cause death, but an infection is curable with antibiotics. —

Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2023 Another factor is the dry air in the plane cabin, which can sap skin of moisture and cause both dehydration and irritation. —

Deanna Pai, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2023 Breathing it in can cause dizziness and drowsiness. —

Raymond Zhong, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2023 As Kalasho said, using your regular toothbrush can cause staining. —

Sarah Bradley, Verywell Health, 15 Feb. 2023 However, that blood flow may also cause swelling — most commonly in the hands and feet, but also in the face and nose. —

Kristine Thomason, Allure, 14 Feb. 2023 Thyroid diseases often cause different types of hair changes. —

Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 14 Feb. 2023 See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin causa "judicial proceedings, interests of one side in a judicial case, plea, pretext, ground of action, motive, reason," of uncertain origin

Verb

Middle English causen, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French causer, borrowed from Medieval Latin causāre, causārī "to plead, accuse, blame, serve as the cause of, occasion," going back to Latin causārī "to plead an action in law, plead as an excuse," derivative of causa "judicial proceedings, plea, cause entry 1"

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

cause

1 of 2 noun

: something that brings about an effect or result

the negligent act which was the cause of the plaintiff's injury

Note: The cause of an injury must be proven in both tort and criminal cases.

— actual cause

: cause in fact in this entry

— but-for cause

: cause in fact in this entry

— cause in fact

: a cause without which the result would not have occurred

called also actual cause, but-for cause

— concurrent cause

: a cause that joins simultaneously with another cause to produce a result

called also concurring cause

compare intervening cause and superseding cause in this entry

— direct cause

: proximate cause in this entry

— efficient intervening cause

: superseding cause in this entry

— intervening cause

: an independent cause that follows another cause in time in producing the result but does not interrupt the chain of causation if foreseeable

called also supervening cause

compare concurrent cause and superseding cause in this entry

: superseding cause in this entry

— legal cause

: proximate cause in this entry

— procuring cause

: one (as a broker) that sets in motion a continuous series of events culminating especially in the sale or leasing of real estate entitled to a commission as the procuring cause of the sale even though the listing had expired

— producing cause

: an efficient, exciting, or contributing cause (as an act, practice, or event) that produces an injury which would not have occurred without it claimed that the workplace accident was a producing cause of his disability —used especially in workers' compensation and consumer protection cases

Note: A producing cause lacks the element of foreseeability associated with a proximate cause, being more exclusively concerned with causation in fact.

— proximate cause

: a cause that sets in motion a sequence of events uninterrupted by any superseding causes and that results in a usually foreseeable effect (as an injury) which would not otherwise have occurred

called also direct cause, legal cause

see also Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad Co. compare remote cause in this entry

— remote cause

: a cause that is followed by a superseding cause interrupting the chain of causation

also : a cause that in ordinary experience does not lead to a particular effect compare proximate cause in this entry

— superseding cause

: an unforeseeable intervening cause that interrupts the chain of causation and becomes the proximate cause of the effect

called also efficient intervening cause, intervening cause

compare concurrent cause and intervening cause in this entry

— supervening cause

: intervening cause in this entry

: a reason or justification for an action or state (as belief): as

: good cause in this entry

an appeal dismissed for cause

: just cause in this entry

behavior that constitutes cause to terminate an employee

Note: The circumstances under which cause, good cause, just cause, probable cause, reasonable cause, or sufficient cause exists are determined on a case by case basis. These terms are often used interchangeably, and the distinctions between them are sometimes unclear.

— good cause

: a substantial reason put forth in good faith that is not unreasonable, arbitrary, or irrational and that is sufficient to create an excuse for an act under the law unable to show good cause for failure to pay child support neglect of duty is good cause for removal of a trustee

— just cause

: cause that a person of ordinary intelligence would consider a fair and reasonable justification for an act —used especially in cases involving termination of employment and denial of unemployment benefits

: good cause in this entry

— probable cause \\ ˈprä-bə-bəl- \\

: a reasonable ground in fact and circumstance for a belief in the existence of certain circumstances (as that an offense has been or is being committed, that a person is guilty of an offense, that a particular search will uncover contraband, that an item to be seized is in a particular place, or that a specific fact or cause of action exists) when supported by probable cause, warrantless search of vehicle may extend to every part of vehicle where objects of search might be concealed—

State v. Nixon, 593 N.E.2d 1210 (1992)

called also reasonable cause, sufficient cause

compare reasonable suspicion

Note: The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution stipulates that “no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause.” Probable cause is also required for a warrantless arrest. Probable cause is an objective standard rather than a function of subjective opinion or suspicion not grounded in fact or circumstance. However, the facts or circumstances need not be of the nature of certainty necessary to establish proof in court.

: justification for an administrative search based on a showing that it is to be conducted in accordance with standardized nonarbitrary regulatory procedures designed to further public interest in regulatory enforcement that outweighs the intrusiveness of the search

— reasonable cause

: probable cause in this entry

also : a fact or circumstance that justifies a reasonable suspicion compare reasonable suspicion

: a reason that would motivate a person of ordinary intelligence under the circumstances reasonable cause to believe abuse had occurred

: something (as an event or the exercise of ordinary care or prudence) that excuses or justifies failure to file a tax return on time

— sufficient cause

: cause that is deemed enough to provide an excuse under the law: as

a : good cause in this entry —often used in the phrase good and sufficient cause

b : probable cause in this entry

: a ground of a legal action

tortious conduct is not a cause of divorce embraced within the statutory cause of cruel and inhuman treatment—

Case & Comment

: case

questions of law…determinative of the cause then pending—

R. T. Gerwatowski

in the civil law of Louisiana : the reason for making a contract compare frustration sense 2

Note: Under the Louisiana Civil Code, if a contract's cause is illicit or immoral, the contract is absolutely null. If the cause fails after the contract is made (as when a leased building cannot be occupied because of a fire), the contract may either be not enforced or only partially enforced.

cause

2 of 2 transitive verb

caused; causing

: to serve as the cause of

the scales struck the plaintiff causing injuries for which she sues—

Palsgraf v. Long Island R.R. Co., 162 N.E. 99 (1928)

: to effect by command, authority, or force

the administrator shall cause an investigation to be made

单词	causing
释义	cause 1 of 2 noun ˈkȯz 1 a : a reason for an action or condition : motive b : something that brings about an effect or a result trying to find the cause of the accident c : a person or thing that is the occasion of an action or state a cause for celebration especially : an agent that brings something about She is the cause of your troubles. d : sufficient reason discharged for cause 2 a : a ground of legal action b : case They are paid by the cause for their expert opinions. 3 : a matter or question to be decided The city council is involved with school department causes. 4 a : a principle or movement militantly defended or supported the insurgents' cause b : a charitable undertaking for a good cause causeless ˈkȯz-ləs adjective cause 2 of 2 verb caused; causing transitive verb 1 : to serve as a cause or occasion of cause an accident 2 : to compel by command, authority, or force caused him to resign causer noun Synonyms Noun antecedent causality causation occasion reason Verb beget breed bring bring about bring on catalyze create do draw on effect effectuate engender generate induce invoke make occasion produce prompt result (in) spawn translate (into) work yield See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun His symptoms had no apparent physical causes. She is the cause of all their problems. The medicine was prescribed without good cause. Their marriage was a cause for celebration. I can support a cause that means something to me. I'm willing to donate money as long as it's for a good cause. Verb He swerved and caused an accident. The flood caused great hardship. The illness is caused by a virus. The flood caused the town great hardship. You caused us a lot of extra work. See More Recent Examples on the Web Noun The document, published in 1870, called for moms everywhere to come together for the cause of universal peace. —Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2023 An investigation into the cause of the crash is still ongoing, police said. —Johnny Dodd, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2023 And that was a victory for the cause of freedom, which never has enough foul-weather friends. —Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 10 Feb. 2023 That’s the medical term for the cause of a hot flash. —Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 9 Feb. 2023 This year her shop is even teaming up for a cause, partnering with a dog rescue, so for those who donate $35, their flower deliveries come with a quick rescue pup visit. —Sarah Ewall-wice, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2023 His grandfather Amarnath Vidyalankar spent his life fighting for India’s independence from British rule, even spending a few years in jail for the cause. —Sakshi Venkatraman, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2023 Volunteering for a cause important to you, sustaining family values and relationships, and sharing your talents and experiences with others all embody this concept of leaving your mark on the world as mortality becomes more imminent. —BostonGlobe.com, 3 Feb. 2023 He was later terminated for cause in 2019 after an incident involving misconduct at a company event came to the attention of the board, according to McDonald’s. —Paolo Confino, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2023 Verb Frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, represents a group of brain disorders cause by the degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain, the AFTD says. —Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2023 Though Malpass claims to have made the decision on his own, his departure follows months of controversy over his comments equivocating as to whether fossil fuels cause global warming. —Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 16 Feb. 2023 If left untreated, tuberculosis can cause death, but an infection is curable with antibiotics. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2023 Another factor is the dry air in the plane cabin, which can sap skin of moisture and cause both dehydration and irritation. —Deanna Pai, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2023 Breathing it in can cause dizziness and drowsiness. —Raymond Zhong, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2023 As Kalasho said, using your regular toothbrush can cause staining. —Sarah Bradley, Verywell Health, 15 Feb. 2023 However, that blood flow may also cause swelling — most commonly in the hands and feet, but also in the face and nose. —Kristine Thomason, Allure, 14 Feb. 2023 Thyroid diseases often cause different types of hair changes. —Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 14 Feb. 2023 See More Word History Etymology Noun Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin causa "judicial proceedings, interests of one side in a judicial case, plea, pretext, ground of action, motive, reason," of uncertain origin Verb Middle English causen, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French causer, borrowed from Medieval Latin causāre, causārī "to plead, accuse, blame, serve as the cause of, occasion," going back to Latin causārī "to plead an action in law, plead as an excuse," derivative of causa "judicial proceedings, plea, cause entry 1" First Known Use Noun 13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Verb 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing cause cause of action cause for concern give/cause offense first cause make common cause lost cause probable cause no cause for alarm cause/create/leave a vacuum cause celebre cause célèbre See More cause of action cause for concern give/cause offense first cause make common cause lost cause probable cause no cause for alarm cause/create/leave a vacuum cause celebre cause célèbre See More Kids Definition cause 1 of 2 noun ˈkȯz 1 : something or someone that brings about a result or condition 2 : a good or adequate reason a cause for celebration 3 a : a ground of legal action b : something supported or deserving support a worthy cause causeless ˈkȯz-ləs adjective cause 2 of 2 verb caused; causing : to be the cause of Legal Definition cause 1 of 2 noun 1 : something that brings about an effect or result the negligent act which was the cause of the plaintiff's injury Note: The cause of an injury must be proven in both tort and criminal cases. — actual cause : cause in fact in this entry — but-for cause : cause in fact in this entry — cause in fact : a cause without which the result would not have occurred called also actual cause, but-for cause — concurrent cause : a cause that joins simultaneously with another cause to produce a result called also concurring cause compare intervening cause and superseding cause in this entry — direct cause : proximate cause in this entry — efficient intervening cause : superseding cause in this entry — intervening cause : an independent cause that follows another cause in time in producing the result but does not interrupt the chain of causation if foreseeable called also supervening cause compare concurrent cause and superseding cause in this entry : superseding cause in this entry — legal cause : proximate cause in this entry — procuring cause : one (as a broker) that sets in motion a continuous series of events culminating especially in the sale or leasing of real estate entitled to a commission as the procuring cause of the sale even though the listing had expired — producing cause : an efficient, exciting, or contributing cause (as an act, practice, or event) that produces an injury which would not have occurred without it claimed that the workplace accident was a producing cause of his disability —used especially in workers' compensation and consumer protection cases Note: A producing cause lacks the element of foreseeability associated with a proximate cause, being more exclusively concerned with causation in fact. — proximate cause : a cause that sets in motion a sequence of events uninterrupted by any superseding causes and that results in a usually foreseeable effect (as an injury) which would not otherwise have occurred called also direct cause, legal cause see also Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad Co. compare remote cause in this entry — remote cause : a cause that is followed by a superseding cause interrupting the chain of causation also : a cause that in ordinary experience does not lead to a particular effect compare proximate cause in this entry — superseding cause : an unforeseeable intervening cause that interrupts the chain of causation and becomes the proximate cause of the effect called also efficient intervening cause, intervening cause compare concurrent cause and intervening cause in this entry — supervening cause : intervening cause in this entry 2 : a reason or justification for an action or state (as belief): as a : good cause in this entry an appeal dismissed for cause b : just cause in this entry behavior that constitutes cause to terminate an employee Note: The circumstances under which cause, good cause, just cause, probable cause, reasonable cause, or sufficient cause exists are determined on a case by case basis. These terms are often used interchangeably, and the distinctions between them are sometimes unclear. — good cause : a substantial reason put forth in good faith that is not unreasonable, arbitrary, or irrational and that is sufficient to create an excuse for an act under the law unable to show good cause for failure to pay child support neglect of duty is good cause for removal of a trustee — just cause : cause that a person of ordinary intelligence would consider a fair and reasonable justification for an act —used especially in cases involving termination of employment and denial of unemployment benefits : good cause in this entry — probable cause \\ ˈprä-bə-bəl- \\ : a reasonable ground in fact and circumstance for a belief in the existence of certain circumstances (as that an offense has been or is being committed, that a person is guilty of an offense, that a particular search will uncover contraband, that an item to be seized is in a particular place, or that a specific fact or cause of action exists) when supported by probable cause, warrantless search of vehicle may extend to every part of vehicle where objects of search might be concealed—State v. Nixon, 593 N.E.2d 1210 (1992) called also reasonable cause, sufficient cause compare reasonable suspicion Note: The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution stipulates that “no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause.” Probable cause is also required for a warrantless arrest. Probable cause is an objective standard rather than a function of subjective opinion or suspicion not grounded in fact or circumstance. However, the facts or circumstances need not be of the nature of certainty necessary to establish proof in court. : justification for an administrative search based on a showing that it is to be conducted in accordance with standardized nonarbitrary regulatory procedures designed to further public interest in regulatory enforcement that outweighs the intrusiveness of the search — reasonable cause : probable cause in this entry also : a fact or circumstance that justifies a reasonable suspicion compare reasonable suspicion : a reason that would motivate a person of ordinary intelligence under the circumstances reasonable cause to believe abuse had occurred : something (as an event or the exercise of ordinary care or prudence) that excuses or justifies failure to file a tax return on time — sufficient cause : cause that is deemed enough to provide an excuse under the law: as a : good cause in this entry —often used in the phrase good and sufficient cause b : probable cause in this entry 3 a : a ground of a legal action tortious conduct is not a cause of divorce embraced within the statutory cause of cruel and inhuman treatment—Case & Comment b : case questions of law…determinative of the cause then pending—R. T. Gerwatowski 4 in the civil law of Louisiana : the reason for making a contract compare frustration sense 2 Note: Under the Louisiana Civil Code, if a contract's cause is illicit or immoral, the contract is absolutely null. If the cause fails after the contract is made (as when a leased building cannot be occupied because of a fire), the contract may either be not enforced or only partially enforced. cause 2 of 2 transitive verb caused; causing 1 : to serve as the cause of the scales struck the plaintiff causing injuries for which she sues—Palsgraf v. Long Island R.R. Co., 162 N.E. 99 (1928) 2 : to effect by command, authority, or force the administrator shall cause an investigation to be made causing verb present participle of cause as in creating to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind) the ice storm caused a massive power outage Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance creating prompting generating bringing producing spawning doing inducing effecting working yielding making occasioning catalyzing invoking engendering effectuating begetting bringing about introducing bringing on encouraging bringing forth breeding promoting drawing on initiating inaugurating giving rise to launching translating (into) starting determining beginning resulting (in) developing establishing instituting deciding founding fostering rendering furthering pioneering enacting cultivating forwarding advancing conducing (to) fathering contributing (to) innovating nurturing setting setting up nourishing turning out Antonyms & Near Antonyms limiting impeding restricting controlling suppressing crushing subduing stifling inhibiting dampening quelling squashing repressing smothering restraining quashing checking squelching curbing retarding killing arresting destroying reining (in) stilling abolishing extinguishing putting down quenching clamping down (on) cracking down (on) demolishing liquidating canning snuffing (out) See More
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cause

noun

verb

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing cause

Kids Definition

Legal Definition

verb