cause célèbre

American  

[kawz suh-leb-ruh, -leb, kohz sey-leb-r^uh] / ˈkɔz səˈlɛb rə, -ˈlɛb, koʊz seɪˈlɛb rə /

noun

causes célèbres plural

1. any controversy that attracts great public attention, as a celebrated legal case or trial.

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cause célèbre British  

/ koz selɛbrə, ˈkɔːz səˈlɛbrə, -ˈlɛb /

noun

1. a famous lawsuit, trial, or controversy

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cause célèbre Cultural  

1. A cause or issue, generally political, that arouses public opinion: “The question of the draft was a cause célèbre in the 1960s.” From French, meaning “celebrated cause.”

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Etymology

Origin of cause célèbre

First recorded in 1755–65; from French: literally, “famous case”

Example Sentences

It has been a cause celebre in Germany ever since.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

An average of 6.26 million viewers tuned in to watch “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” as the comedian addressed his suspension that became a free speech cause celebre, according to Nielsen.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 24, 2025

Mitnick became a cause celebre for hackers who considered his 5-year prison term excessive.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 20, 2023

Corporate governance in Japan has suddenly become a cause celebre, and seems to be rousing the world's third-largest stock market out of decades of lethargy.

From Reuters • Apr. 21, 2023

Her quest for Everest had turned into a minor cause celebre in Japan.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer