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

Damien and Jessica O'Brien are each expected to appear at a probable cause conference on Thursday. — Nick Lentz, CBS News, 27 June 2026

As part of that inquiry, police seized his cellphone, but there was insufficient probable cause to examine it. — Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026

According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by the outlets, David and Bernadette took a trip to Zion National Park to celebrate their anniversary, and opted to hike Angel’s Landing before sunrise. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

Three of the passengers suffered injuries that ranged from a broken leg to a brain bleed, according to a probable cause affidavit written by Idaho State Police Trooper Andrew Cougher. — Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 23 June 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