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

"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

… focused on observable and verifiable causes and effects in the natural world …

—Rafi Eis

Examples of cause and effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, many of the studies performed to date have been observational, said Christmas, and do not directly prove a cause and effect relationship. —Akshay Syal, NBC news, 27 Nov. 2025

This week, Bitcoin got caught up in topsy-turvy trading in technology stocks, with the token’s volatility being pointed to as both the cause and effect of equities turmoil. —Emily Nicolle, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2025

Research has shown that gum disease is linked to higher inflammation in the body and a greater risk of conditions like diabetes and heart disease, though most studies show an association rather than direct proof of cause and effect. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 22 Nov. 2025

Studies on this question have not shown a direct cause and effect. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cause and effect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• eject