causation

noun

cau·​sa·​tion kȯ-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce causation (audio)
1
a
: the act or process of causing
the role of heredity in the causation of cancer
b
: the act or agency which produces an effect
in a complex situation causation is likely to be multipleW. O. Aydelotte
2

Examples of causation in a Sentence

the role of heredity in the causation of cancer He claimed that the accident caused his injury, but the court ruled that he did not provide sufficient evidence of causation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And pretty much all of the data suffer from the reality that, as any stats teacher will remind you, correlation does not necessarily imply causation. Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025 But another line of thinking argues that correlation should not be equated with causation. David W. Lawson, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025 In addition, the study shows only associations, not causation, and the participants’ experiences may not necessarily generalize to a larger, more diverse population. Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025 Mandell said claims that Tylenol increases autism rates in babies and toddlers are based on low-quality studies that don’t prove causation. Aria Bendix, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for causation

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin causātiōn-, causātiō "accusation, objection, causal action," going back to Latin, "plea, excuse," from causārī "to plead an action in law, plead as an excuse" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at cause entry 2

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of causation was in 1615

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Causation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/causation. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Legal Definition

causation

noun
cau·​sa·​tion kȯ-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce causation (audio)
1
a
: the act or process of causing
proof of objective causation of injury by the perpetratorAlan Freeman
b
: the act or agency that produces an effect
evidence was presented on doctor's malpractice…for…proof of causationNational Law Journal
if plaintiffs could establish…that the caps were manufactured by one of the defendants, the burden of proof as to causation would shift to all the defendantsSindell v. Abbott Laboratories, 607 P.2d 924 (1980)
2
: the relation between cause and effect especially as an element to be proven in a tort or criminal case
must be “legal” causation between the acts and the resultsW. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.
see also chain of causation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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