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 Duncan made a traffic stop on I-49 after seeing a speeding vehicle, according to a probable cause affidavit. —

Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 18 Sep. 2024 Castillo’s sister told officers that Castillo had previously beaten the mother of his child with a hammer in her home, cracking her head open and breaking her arm, per the probable cause statement. —

Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2024 As for the investigation into the online school shooting threat, Mangum said there wasn't probable cause for an arrest or to charge the teen with making a terroristic threat. —

Faith Abubey, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2024 During the stream, security officials from Venezuela’s General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence forced entry into Oropeza’s home without probable cause or a warrant. —

Greg Wehner, Fox News, 4 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for probable cause

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

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 5 Oct. 2024.

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