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

His disappearance has been a cause celebre in France ever since.

From BBC

On the other hand, he already was whomped in 2020, and by shamelessly lying to his supporters, he has turned his loss into a cause celebre and a continuing national nightmare.

From Los Angeles Times

He offered through his attorney to turn himself in to authorities, but instead, an estimated 20 federal agents and state troopers descended on his home in what quickly became a cause celebre for pro-life groups.

From Washington Times

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

The expulsions quickly became a cause celebre on the left.

From Washington Times