causation

noun

cau·​sa·​tion kȯ-ˈzā-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of causing

the role of heredity in the causation of cancer

b

: the act or agency which produces an effect

in a complex situation causation is likely to be multiple

—W. O. Aydelotte

2

: causality

Synonyms

• antecedent
• causality
• cause
• occasion
• reason

Examples of causation in a Sentence

the role of heredity in the causation of cancer

He claimed that the accident caused his injury, but the court ruled that he did not provide sufficient evidence of causation.

Recent Examples on the Web

In many cases, correlation has been confused with causation and led some to believe refined grains lead to a slew of diseases that shouldn’t actually be attributed to eating a normal amount of them. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025

It should be noted that correlated returns do not indicate causation or predict future returns or price action patterns. —Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024

More Research Is Needed Like all observational research, the study can only show associations but not causation. —Christina Manian, Health, 14 Dec. 2024

Though the study can’t prove causation, researchers do have theories about how sauna bathing could lead to better health, said study author Åsa Engström, PhD, RN, professor of nursing at Luleå University of Technology in Sweden. —Brian Mastroianni, Health, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin causātiōn-, causātiō "accusation, objection, causal action," going back to Latin, "plea, excuse," from causārī "to plead an action in law, plead as an excuse" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at cause entry 2

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for causation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation
• conflation

Legal Definition

causation

noun

cau·​sa·​tion kȯ-ˈzā-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of causing

proof of objective causation of injury by the perpetrator

—Alan Freeman

b

: the act or agency that produces an effect

evidence was presented on doctor's malpractice…for…proof of causation

—National Law Journal

if plaintiffs could establish…that the caps were manufactured by one of the defendants, the burden of proof as to causation would shift to all the defendants

—Sindell v. Abbott Laboratories, 607 P.2d 924 (1980)

2

: the relation between cause and effect especially as an element to be proven in a tort or criminal case

must be “legal” causation between the acts and the results

—W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.

see also chain of causation