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

Clark is accused of setting up a covert video-recording device, disguised in a ballpoint pen, in the bathroom of a residence, using it to capture intimate footage of people, including minors, according to the case affidavit of probable cause. —Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026

Police obtained a probable cause arrest warrant for Swadley and he was arrested early Friday by San Jose police. —Harry Harris, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026

The caller put Murray’s address into Phillips’ phone, according to the probable cause statement. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026

Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz said a grand jury did not find probable cause to charge anyone in the March 15, 2025, death of 23-year-old Ruben Ray Martinez on South Padre Island. —Bayliss Wagner, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Feb. 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