probable cause

noun

: a reasonable ground for supposing that a charge is well-founded

Examples of probable cause in a Sentence

The lawyer argued that there was a lack of probable cause for a search warrant.

The police had probable cause to arrest him.

Recent Examples on the Web

In mid-September, a grand jury met over five days to decide whether there was probable cause of criminal wrongdoing in connection with Wells’s death. — Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026

The suit states that in August 2025, Citrus Heights Police Officer Joshua Zuniga conducted a traffic stop of Kramnic without probable cause, found an active misdemeanor warrant and transported him to jail. — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Police also recovered a baby blanket with significant burn marks from the living room, according to the probable cause statement. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

The speed limit in the area is 65 mph, according to a Sunrise Police Department probable cause affidavit. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for probable cause

• magnetopause
• ahs
• baas
• clause
• claws
• coz
• daws
• draws
• flaws
• gauze
• gnaws
• haws

Legal Definition

probable cause

see also:

cause sense 2