cause and effect
noun
plural causes and effects
: the direct relationship between an action or event and its consequence or result
Toys that make noise when interacted with … offer auditory stimulation and teach cause and effect.—
Maya Polton and Katrina Cossey
Maya Polton and Katrina Cossey"Human nature is to look for cause and effect," says Robert Baloh, professor of neurology and head and neck surgery at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine. … "I see this daily when I see patients. They're all sure something they ate or something they did caused their problem and their symptoms."—Frank Bures
Frank Bures… focused on observable and verifiable causes and effects in the natural world …—Rafi Eis
Rafi EisExamples of cause and effect in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The evaluation covered March 2023 through December 2025 and drew on administrative data and interviews with participants and staff, though researchers said the findings show associations and do not establish cause and effect.
—City News Service, Daily News, 2 May 2026
These patterns were consistent across populations and may represent early biological changes, raising the possibility that gut microbiome testing could one day help identify risk earlier, though the research is still observational and does not prove cause and effect.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
However, the findings show an association—not cause and effect.
—Zoe Cunniffe, Health, 30 Apr. 2026
The study could only show an association, not a direct cause and effect.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cause and effect
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City News Service, Daily News, 2 May 2026
These patterns were consistent across populations and may represent early biological changes, raising the possibility that gut microbiome testing could one day help identify risk earlier, though the research is still observational and does not prove cause and effect.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
However, the findings show an association—not cause and effect.
—Zoe Cunniffe, Health, 30 Apr. 2026
The study could only show an association, not a direct cause and effect.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cause and effect
Cite this Entry
“Cause and effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cause%20and%20effect. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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