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
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.
This is a question of causality. — Morgan Korn, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026 There is also stronger evidence to make assertions about causality. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026 Nor could the study exclude reverse causality, which occurs when the impact of an action is actually the cause, said Katz, who was not involved in the study. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026 While a need for causality would seemingly determine the order in which the events had to take place, quantum mechanics was seemingly indifferent to that need. — ArsTechnica, 28 Mar. 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 8 Jul. 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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