because

American  

[bih-kawz, -koz, -kuhz] / bɪˈkɔz, -ˈkɒz, -ˈkʌz /

conjunction

1. for the reason that; due to the fact that.

   The boy was absent because he was ill.

---

preposition

1. Informal. (used directly before a noun, adjective, verb, interjection, etc., to convey a very concise rationale, excuse, or explanation).

   We’re a little like monkeys because evolution.

   He doesn’t practice enough: because lazy.

   I love doughnuts because yum!

idioms

1. because of, by reason of; due to.

   Schools were closed because of heavy snowfall.

because British  

/ -ˈkəz, bɪˈkɒz /

conjunction

1. (subordinating) on account of the fact that; on account of being; since

   because it's so cold we'll go home

2. (preposition) on account of

   I lost my job because of her

---

Usage

See reason.

Etymology

Origin of because

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English bi cause; see by ( def. ), cause ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

because

"We've already had a couple of rivers that have dried up and we're getting reports through of fish that have been killed because of lack of water."

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

ServiceNow’s management has maintained that the company isn’t at risk of AI displacement because it gives enterprise customers a mission-critical platform for managing different business procedures.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026

Stocks across the tech industry dipped that day, in part because of the release of a breakthrough open-source model by Chinese company Moonshot AI.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

Despite early concerns about potential dominance in the children’s television market, Paramount will not be required to divest Cartoon Network, a Warner asset, because of its ownership of Nickelodeon.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

It might be because timing is a key element in music.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold