cause célèbre

[ kawz suh-leb-ruh, -leb; French kohz sey-leb-ruh ]

noun

, plural causes cé·lè·bres [kawz, s, uh, -, leb, -r, uh, z, s, uh, -, lebz, kaw, -ziz s, uh, -, leb, -r, uh, -, leb, kohz sey-, leb, -, r, uh].

1. any controversy that attracts great public attention, as a celebrated legal case or trial.

cause célèbre

/ koz selɛbrə; ˈkɔːz səˈlɛbrə; -ˈlɛb /

noun

1. a famous lawsuit, trial, or controversy

cause célèbre

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.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cause célèbre¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cause célèbre¹

C19: from French: famous case

Example Sentences

Not surprisingly, the grave miscarriage of justice in his case has attracted national and international attention and made it a cause célèbre for people opposed to the death penalty and many supporters of capital punishment.

From Slate

As doubts about the sailors' guilt grew, their families began a campaign on their behalf, which became a cause célèbre in Brazil.

From BBC

State Department warned Brown that Chessman’s execution might inflame protesters during an upcoming trip President Eisenhower planned in Uruguay, where the prisoner was a cause célèbre.

From Los Angeles Times

His conviction has become a cause célèbre in libertarian circles.

From Salon

Being a puppy killer isn’t exactly a cause célèbre, no matter the “challenge” of it.

From Slate