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

Police found probable cause to charge Garrity with third-degree felony stalking. — Raul Trey Lopez, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026

The victim is identified in the probable cause affidavit by her initials. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Twenty-four states require an arrest when there’s probable cause of a domestic assault. — Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 14 Oct. 2026

During a court appearance Tuesday, Miami-Dade County Judge Mindy Glazer found probable cause in the case. — Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 14 Oct. 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