causation

[ kaw-zey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the action of causing or producing.
2. the relation of cause to effect; causality.
3. anything that produces an effect; cause.

causation

/ kɔːˈzeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or fact of causing; the production of an effect by a cause
2. the relationship of cause and effect

Derived Forms

• cauˈsational, adjective

Other Words From

• cau·sation·al adjective
• noncau·sation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of causation¹

1640–50; < Medieval Latin causātiōn- (stem of causātiō ), equivalent to causāt ( us ) (past participle of causāre to cause) ( Latin caus ( a ) cause + -ātus -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

And then there are these questions about causation and correlation.

From Salon

"People will travel long distances to stand in the spot of their favourite film characters and the causation impacts of that can be considerable," Mr Levinthal said.

From BBC

The judge wrote: "In principle he has most to gain from the destruction of material which helps the claimant’s case on causation."

From BBC

That means correlation does not always equal causation and they further state that they can't "provide a quantitative estimate of the number of IQ points lost for a given increase in fluoride exposure measures."

From Salon

“Had Caltrans followed through, it might have had a chance to break another link in the chain of causation that resulted in the fire the following year,” the report found.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• element
• explanation
• matter
• motivation
• motive
• origin
• principle
• purpose
• root
• source