causality

noun

cau·​sal·​i·​ty kȯ-ˈza-lə-tē 

plural causalities

1

: a causal quality or agency

2

: the relation between a cause and its effect or between regularly correlated events or phenomena

Synonyms of causality

• cause
• causation

Examples of causality in a Sentence

Scientists found no causality between the events.

a supreme being is a being that, by definition, has no causality of its own

Recent Examples on the Web

But the causality usually breaks down if resources are allocated by policy interventions that are divorced from returns on investment. — Oliver Melton, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026

When Sita is kidnapped, and Rama comforts the dying Jatayu — who, by the way, features briefly in these missing scenes as well, making his climactic arrival less sudden — there’s a sense of direct causality to these events. — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026

Case reports on those deaths and hospitalizations that were submitted to regulators do not prove causality; many of the Vykat cases involved complex medical issues and multiple medications. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 13 Oct. 2026

Real-world studies evaluate associations and can’t determine causality. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin causālitāt- causālitās, from Late Latin causālis causal + Latin -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for causality

• equality
• frivolity
• sodality
• inequality
• jollity
• polity
• quality

Legal Definition

causality

noun

cau·​sal·​i·​ty kȯ-ˈza-lə-tē 

plural causalities

: the relationship between cause and effect