Dictionary definition · cause
noun
- events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something"they are trying to determine the cause of the crash"
- a justification for something existing or happening"he had no cause to complain"
- a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end"he supported populist campaigns"
- any entity that produces an effect or is responsible for events or results
- a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy"the family brought suit against the landlord"
verb
- give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally"cause a commotion"
- cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner"The ads induced me to buy a VCR"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).