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 order Graf read from the bench outlined the evidence presented during the hearing, ruling that the prosecution had met the threshold of probable cause and can still pursue the death penalty. — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2026

District Judge Tony Graf issued the decision after a day of arguments in a probable cause hearing. — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026

Separately, a court spokeswoman said last week that Graf may or may not hold an arraignment after deciding whether there's enough probable cause to bind the case over for trial. — Michael Ruiz , Jesse Watson, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Louis will consider whether the treaty applies to the case and determine if the evidence establishes probable cause. — Bill Chappell, NPR, 27 Aug. 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