causality

noun

cau·​sal·​i·​ty kȯ-ˈza-lə-tē 

plural causalities

1

: a causal quality or agency

2

: the relation between a cause and its effect or between regularly correlated events or phenomena

Synonyms

• antecedent
• causation
• cause
• occasion
• reason

Examples of causality in a Sentence

Scientists found no causality between the events.

a supreme being is a being that, by definition, has no causality of its own

Recent Examples on the Web

When people have low expectations, the causality occurs in reverse, and that is what China is experiencing. —Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024

Determining causality is a heavy lift, but no one with a functioning brain stem believes that more people watched the 2000 season because Miller was better at calling football than John Earl Madden. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Sep. 2024

Late-night munchies While the research has established the link between staying up late and developing diabetes, causality is still unknown. —Michael Franco, New Atlas, 8 Sep. 2024

Researchers will have to design randomized clinical trials to prove causality. —Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 18 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin causālitāt- causālitās, from Late Latin causālis causal + Latin -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

causality

noun

cau·​sal·​i·​ty kȯ-ˈza-lə-tē 

plural causalities

: the relationship between cause and effect