probable cause

noun

: a reasonable ground for supposing that a charge is well-founded

Examples of probable cause in a Sentence

The lawyer argued that there was a lack of probable cause for a search warrant. The police had probable cause to arrest him.
Recent Examples on the Web
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The man was moving to Shawnee, Kansas from St. Louis and used Oasis Moving Company, which accepts automatic clearinghouse payments between banks, a probable cause affidavit filed Monday said. Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025 The violation stemmed from an incident in which Clemmons stole $45 worth of beer and chicken wings from a Publix in West Palm Beach, then threw a cup of juice at a police officer after the officer Tased him, according to a probable cause affidavit. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025 Sophia Ross, 22, was pulled over by Sarasota police officers on Nov. 17, 2024, after allegedly stopping at green lights, hitting several curbs, and driving in the wrong lane while behind the wheel of a Jeep, according to a probable cause affidavit reviewed by PEOPLE. Nicole Acosta, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025 Yet the Herald’s investigation revealed that the training manuals of the FWC and the State Attorney’s Office list significant injuries and deaths as probable cause for a blood draw for a sobriety test. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for probable cause 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of probable cause was circa 1676

Dictionary Entries Near probable cause

Cite this Entry

“Probable cause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/probable%20cause. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Legal Definition

probable cause

see cause sense 2

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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