probable cause

noun

: a reasonable ground for supposing that a charge is well-founded

Examples of probable cause in a Sentence

The lawyer argued that there was a lack of probable cause for a search warrant. The police had probable cause to arrest him.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Running errands and a real estate con What follows comes from the referee’s report and the probable cause affidavits after Morin and Corcoran’s arrests. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026 Glazer found probable cause for the grand theft charge, set bond at $2,500, and appointed the Public Defender's Office to represent him. — CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 The affidavit noted that the Orange County Sheriff’s Office had probable cause to charge Wood with transmission of harmful material to minors and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, FOX 4 reported. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Moore drove himself and his girlfriend to a nearby fire station and called the police, the probable cause affidavit said. — Jessie Dimartino, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for probable cause

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of probable cause was circa 1676

Rhymes for probable cause

See All Rhymes for probable cause

Browse Nearby Words

probable
probable cause
probable error
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Probable cause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/probable%20cause. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Legal Definition

probable cause

see also:
cause sense 2
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