causation

[kaw-zey-shuhn]

noun

1. the action of causing or producing.

2. the relation of cause to effect; causality.

3. anything that produces an effect; cause.

causation

/ kɔːˈzeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or fact of causing; the production of an effect by a cause

2. the relationship of cause and effect

Other Word Forms

• causational adjective
• noncausation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of causation¹

1640–50; < Medieval Latin causātiōn- (stem of causātiō ), equivalent to causāt ( us ) (past participle of causāre to cause) ( Latin caus ( a ) cause + -ātus -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

“She feels horrible about all of this. Nobody wants to be in the chain of causation,” Geragos said, adding that he will present evidence of mitigating circumstances at her Dec. 10 sentencing.

From Los Angeles Times

Although it was clear there was a strong correlation between areas with higher rates of subsidence and more dramatic drops in housing values, he said his team spent more than a year to establish causation.

From Los Angeles Times

Temporal sequence is not causation, but in a public health crisis, a plausible step is mass distribution of an antidote easily administered by lay persons.

From Salon

One study, Teegarden pointed out, found a correlation between UPF consumption and accidental death — a statistical oddity that likely indicates residual confounding rather than causation.

From Salon

While rising asylum claims may seem linked to "democratic backsliding" in India, correlation isn't causation, the authors say .

From BBC

Related Words

• element 
• explanation 
• matter 
• motivation 
• motive 
• origin 
• principle 
• purpose 
• root 
• source