causality

noun

cau·​sal·​i·​ty kȯ-ˈza-lə-tē How to pronounce causality (audio)
plural causalities
Synonyms of causalitynext
1
: a causal quality or agency
2
: the relation between a cause and its effect or between regularly correlated events or phenomena

Synonyms of causality

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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
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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.
In other sectors, too, the report doesn't prove causality but identifies rising costs where immigrant labor is key. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026 The study percentages cannot establish either true frequency or causality. — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Or maybe the causality flows the other way, and the parity era has shifted into a new phase where the best way to build a winner is to acquire as much star power as possible without tilting your balance too far toward the truly elite. — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 30 July 2026 This eliminated variables such as personality type and enabled him to test for causality, Verster said. — Ashley Okwuosa, STAT, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for causality

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of causality was in 1603

Rhymes for causality

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Browse Nearby Words

causalgia
causality
causal necessity
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Cite this Entry

“Causality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/causality. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Legal Definition

causality

noun
cau·​sal·​i·​ty kȯ-ˈza-lə-tē How to pronounce causality (audio)
plural causalities
: the relationship between cause and effect

More from Merriam-Webster on causality

Nglish: Translation of causality for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about causality

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