causal

adjective

caus·​al ˈkȯ-zəl How to pronounce causal (audio)
1
: expressing or indicating cause : causative
a causal clause introduced by since
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a cause
the causal agent of a disease
3
: involving causation or a cause : marked by cause and effect
a causal link
evidence suggests that there is a strong causal relationship between an individual's experiences with his parents and his later capacity to make affectional bondsG. A. Miller
4
: arising from a cause
a causal development
causally adverb

Examples of causal in a Sentence

No causal connection between the events was found. There is a causal link between poverty and crime.
Recent Examples on the Web The other two experiments involved the use of a lucky charm, and the authors concluded there is a causal effect between performance and the sense that good luck had been activated. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 2 Oct. 2024 Although a causal effect between social media use and teen mental health has not been demonstrated, public health officials and parents particularly should not shy away from addressing social media use in our youth. Omer Awan, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024 The whole organism then influences all its components in a circular causal loop. Andréa Morris, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 Though there were no casualties and long range studies were never able to confirm a causal rise in cancer cases in the area, Three Mile Island was the worst US commercial nuclear accident and arguably the third worst in the world after the later Chernobyl and Fukushima incidents. David Szondy, New Atlas, 22 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for causal 

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

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin causālis, from Latin causa cause entry 1 + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of causal was circa 1530

Dictionary Entries Near causal

Cite this Entry

“Causal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/causal. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

causal

adjective
caus·​al ˈkȯ-zəl How to pronounce causal (audio)
: of, relating to, or being a cause

Legal Definition

causal

adjective
caus·​al ˈkȯ-zəl How to pronounce causal (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or constituting a cause
causal negligence
2
: involving causation or a cause
no causal relationship between driving without insurance and the accidentNational Law Journal
a causal link exists between the deceptive act and the injuryNational Law Journal
3
: arising from a cause
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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