causality

noun

cau·​sal·​i·​ty kȯ-ˈza-lə-tē 

plural causalities

1

: a causal quality or agency

2

: the relation between a cause and its effect or between regularly correlated events or phenomena

Synonyms

• antecedent
• causation
• cause
• occasion
• reason

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

But recent evidence indicates that the causality can run the other way: panel studies have found that many people change their political views first and then become less religious. —Ronald Inglehart, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2020

In the face of such tactics, the IDF has gone to extraordinary lengths to prevent civilian causalities, exceeding the precautions taken by the militaries of most other democratic countries. —Amos Yadlin, Foreign Affairs, 21 Nov. 2023

More targeted neuromodulation studies, however, will help to actually decipher causality. —Oshan Jarow, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

Correlation doesn't prove causality, but lack of correlation is strong evidence for the absence of causality. —George Calhoun, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

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

Legal Definition

causality

noun

cau·​sal·​i·​ty kȯ-ˈza-lə-tē 

plural causalities

: the relationship between cause and effect