causation

noun

cau·​sa·​tion kȯ-ˈzā-shən 

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 multiple

—W. O. Aydelotte

2

: causality

Synonyms

• cause

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

Correlation doesn’t guarantee causation, but there’s evidence to support the theory that Eldridge typically needs an adjustment period. —Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025

The study has received a lot of criticism, however, partly because its design cannot prove causation. —Frederik Jötten, Scientific American, 12 Sep. 2025

While the study cannot yet prove direct causation, the scale and consistency of the results leave researchers concerned. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

While not able to show direct causation, the researchers found a meaningful link between high hs-CRP readings and the amount of UPFs in an individual's diet – which was further impacted by age and obesity, both which made people more sensitive to inflammation already. —New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for causation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation
• conflation

Legal Definition

causation

noun

cau·​sa·​tion kȯ-ˈzā-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of causing

proof of objective causation of injury by the perpetrator

—Alan Freeman

b

: the act or agency that produces an effect

evidence was presented on doctor's malpractice…for…proof of causation

—National 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 defendants

—Sindell 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 results

—W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.

see also chain of causation