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 2013, the unknown suspect's DNA was uploaded to CODIS -- the nationwide law enforcement DNA database -- but there wasn't a match, according to the probable cause affidavit. —

Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2024 In June, Travis County District Court found probable cause to issue a DNA search warrant to seize a DNA sample from Brewer for direct comparison to the evidence found during Wolfe's autopsy. —

CBS News, 17 Aug. 2024 The Austin Municipal Court on Wednesday found probable cause to issue an arrest warrant charging Deck Brewer Jr. with murder in the death of Susan Leigh Wolfe. —

Jay Croft, CNN, 17 Aug. 2024 The family is still recovering According to a probable cause affidavit, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police found an almost empty bottle of Jose Cuervo tequila under the driver's seat. —

Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 25 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for probable cause

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'probable cause.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of probable cause was circa 1676

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Probable cause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/probable%20cause. Accessed 11 Sep. 2024.

Copy Citation