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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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• causes célèbres
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cause célèbre

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

Example Sentences

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

Among Goddard alumni are actor William H. Macy, playwright David Mamet, jailed activist and cause celebre Mumia Abu-Jamal, and some members of the rock band Phish.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 10, 2024

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

I also find it ironic that Mr. Will, who has strenuously argued in favor of “meritocracy,” would use as his cause celebre this incident that failed to recognize academic “runner-up” status.

From Washington Post • Jan. 19, 2023

I would make the case a cause celebre, and make them regret they had ever charged me in the first place.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela