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

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

Frimpong also ordered the government to thoroughly document the probable cause that leads to an arrest before a warrant could be obtained. — Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026

The cash deposits were supposed to be taken to the cash-transit company Brink’s, which would then be deposited into the school’s JPMorgan Chase bank account, the probable cause affidavit said. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026

According to an affidavit of probable cause written by the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, investigators received a cybertip after a cloud storage company noticed one of its users was in possession of child pornography. — Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 18 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