cause of action

noun phrase

: the grounds (such as violation of a right) that entitle a plaintiff to bring a suit

Examples of cause of action in a Sentence

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.
Therefore, where a cause of action has been voluntarily dismissed while a UPEPA cause of action is pending, the moving party is entitled to a mandatory award of attorney fees, costs and expenses despite the voluntarily dismissal. Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025 Through my legal lens, any importer who paid the full 145 percent tariff might have a legal cause of action. Aron Solomon, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025 The legislation also creates a civil cause of action so immigrants who are scammed by notarios can sue for damages and attorney fees. Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025 An action to enforce a cause of action shall begin within four years after the cause of action occurred under the bill. Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 17 Apr. 2025 The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York reversed its opposition to the cause of action in 2004 and supported no fault. Patricia Fersch, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 According to Douglas Hand, a fashion lawyer and a member of the business advisory committee of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Hermès could pursue a cause of action of trade dress infringement against Walmart and the respective third-party vendors selling the Birkin dupe. Renan Botelho, WWD, 31 Dec. 2024 Congress in a 2022 law also created a civil cause of action for victims to sue perpetrators. Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Dec. 2024 The judge did not feel that this cause of action against Martinez applied to Ortiz and dismissed her from that portion of the lawsuit. Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cause of action was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cause of action.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cause%20of%20action. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Legal Definition

cause of action

1
: the grounds (as violation of a right) that entitle a plaintiff to bring a suit
an amended pleading reiterating a cause of action for lost profitsJ. H. Friedenthal et al.
also : the part of a suit brought on those grounds
removed the cause of action to the district court
2
: right of action sense 1
the court, led by Justice Brennan, said Congress intended to provide a private cause of actionNational Law Journal
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