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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Briana Boston, 42, of Lakeland, was charged with threats to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by USA TODAY. —

Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024 According to a probable cause affidavit, the FBI was contacted by the mother of a 12-year-old girl in Waukesha County, Wis., on April 13 regarding an inappropriate conversation between her daughter and an unknown male. —

Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 10 Dec. 2024 In October of last year, a 19-year-old named Henry Horton IV was arrested after a Jupiter police officer pulled him over because his tail light was out, according to a probable cause affidavit. —

Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 22 Nov. 2024 The grand jury is left alone to deliberate whether probable cause exists. —

Nate Chute, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for probable cause

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of probable cause was circa 1676

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Probable cause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/probable%20cause. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.

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