probable cause

Save This Word!

noun Law.

reasonable ground for a belief, as, in a criminal case, that the accused was guilty of the crime, or, in a civil case, that grounds for the action existed: used especially as a defense to an action for malicious prosecution.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of probable cause

First recorded in 1670–80

Words nearby probable cause

probability distribution, probability function, probability theory, probability wave, probable, probable cause, probable error, probably, proband, probang, probate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use probable cause in a sentence

According to a probable cause statement obtained by the Baltimore Sun, Johnson was initially issued a citation to appear in court after cops noticed unauthorized tags and registration on her car, and found she had been driving without a license.
Baltimore Aunt Drove Car for a Year With Kids Stuffed in Trunk: Cops|Zoe Richards|July 30, 2021|The Daily Beast
At the upper end, where we were seeing someone who we believe had probable cause to have shot someone else, we’re going in.
“Progressive prosecutors” are working within the system to change it. How is that going?|Jamil Smith|July 30, 2021|Vox
It’s rare that schools move to show probable cause to terminate an employee, Voice of San Diego has found.
When Districts ‘Fire’ Coaches, They Often Keep Them on as Teachers|Kayla Jimenez|July 20, 2021|Voice of San Diego
Two are still under investigation by the NTSB, meaning the probable cause of the accident has not yet been identified.
What We Know About Alaska’s Recent Series of Fatal Flight Collisions|by Zoë Sobel, KUCB, and Agnel Philip and Alex Mierjeski, ProPublica|June 16, 2021|ProPublica

The NTSB determined the probable cause of this accident was that the pilots did not see and avoid each other.
What We Know About Alaska’s Recent Series of Fatal Flight Collisions|by Zoë Sobel, KUCB, and Agnel Philip and Alex Mierjeski, ProPublica|June 16, 2021|ProPublica
But Cosby Truthers are applying their principles to the wrong cause.
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers|Stereo Williams|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
So we know that boring down to the bedrock and pumping it full of fluid can cause earthquakes.
26 Earthquakes Later, Fracking’s Smoking Gun Is in Texas|James Joiner|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
These days weather should never cause a commercial airliner to crash.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501|Clive Irving|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
If Dudesmash were to be something we continued doing, this would be an important year to do it, ‘cause we didn’t do one last year.
Deer Tick's John McCauley on Ten Years in Rock and Roll|James Joiner|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Michelle Obama tweeting a hashtag is somehow cause for outrage.
Political Memes That Absolutely Must Die in 2015|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Whether they had ever, at different times, pleaded for or against the same cause, and cited precedents to prove contrary opinions?
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift
Without any known cause of offence, a tacit acknowledgement of mutual dislike was shewn by Louis and de Patinos.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
There is cause for alarm when they bring one hundred and ten ships into these seas without any means of resistance on our part.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
It is probable that Mlle. Mayer came under the influence of Prud'hon as early as 1802, possibly before that time.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement
If we are to have a real education along lines of expression we must begin with the "content," or cause, of expression.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick

British Dictionary definitions for probable cause

probable cause

noun

law reasonable grounds for holding a belief, esp such as will justify bringing legal proceedings against a person or will constitute a defence to a charge of malicious prosecution

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012