Definition Definition

cause - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'cause' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Cause [ conj.]
- Abbreviation of Because.
2 . Cause [ n.]
- To effect as an agent; to produce; to be the occasion of; to bring about; to bring into existence; to make; -- usually followed by an infinitive, sometimes by that with a finite verb.
3 . Cause [ v.]
- That which produces or effects a result; that from which anything proceeds, and without which it would not exist.
- That which is the occasion of an action or state; ground; reason; motive; as, cause for rejoicing.
- Sake; interest; advantage.
- A suit or action in court; any legal process by which a party endeavors to obtain his claim, or what he regards as his right; case; ground of action.
- Any subject of discussion or debate; matter; question; affair in general.
- The side of a question, which is espoused, advocated, and upheld by a person or party; a principle which is advocated; that which a person or party seeks to attain.
4 . Cause [ v. i.]
- To assign or show cause; to give a reason; to make excuse.

Meaning of 'cause' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . cause [ n]
Meaning (1):
- a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end
Example in sentence:
  • contributed to the war effort;
  • he supported populist campaigns;
  • the movement to end slavery;
  • the team was ready for a drive toward the pennant;
  • they worked in the cause of world peace
Meaning (2):
- a justification for something existing or happening
Example in sentence:
  • he had no cause to complain;
  • they had good reason to rejoice
Meaning (3):
- a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy
Example in sentence:
  • the family brought suit against the landlord
Meaning (4):
- events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
Example in sentence:
  • they are trying to determine the cause of the crash
5 . cause [ v]
Meaning (5):
- give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
Example in sentence:
  • cause a commotion;
  • cause an accident;
  • make a stir
Meaning (6):
- cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner
Example in sentence:
  • My children finally got me to buy a computer;
  • My wife made me buy a new sofa;
  • The ads induced me to buy a VCR