cause

Noun

• a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy
  • the family brought suit against the landlord
    

• any entity that produces an effect or is responsible for events or results

• a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end
  • he supported populist campaigns
    
  • they worked in the cause of world peace
    
  • the team was ready for a drive toward the pennant
    
  • the movement to end slavery
    
  • contributed to the war effort
    

• a justification for something existing or happening
  • he had no cause to complain
    
  • they had good reason to rejoice
    

• events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
  • they are trying to determine the cause of the crash
    

Verb

• cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner
  • The ads induced me to buy a VCR
    
  • My children finally got me to buy a computer
    
  • My wife made me buy a new sofa
    

• give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
  • cause a commotion
    
  • make a stir
    
  • cause an accident
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  lawsuit , suit , case , causa , causal agent , causal agency , campaign , crusade , drive , movement , effort , reason , grounds , induce , stimulate , have , get , make , do