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.

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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

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Usage

See reason.

Etymology

Origin of because

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

Example Sentences

Dry the chickpeas like you mean it—roll them in a towel, let them sit a minute, roll again—because moisture is the enemy of blistering.

From Salon

One of my grandfather’s most repeated stories was about a nun who gave him a new school uniform because the other kids were making fun of how small and worn his old one was.

From Slate

A Meal Train seems more acceptable in certain social circles, maybe because giving a meal implies that the family is “too busy dealing with a crisis to cook”—not that they are struggling to afford to pay for the crisis itself, or that they find the pileup of bills difficult to deal with.

From Slate

In December 2023, bailiffs alerted police after going to repossess the premises on Nobes Avenue because of unpaid debts.

From BBC

Elkin told police the cremation had not taken place because they had not received payment but, in fact, they had been paid in full, prosecutors said.

From BBC