n. 1 origin, occasion, source, root, genesis, agent, prime mover, well-spring The cause of the train crash is not yet known 2 originator, creator, producer, agent, agency His indecision was the cause of many of our problems 3 ground or grounds, justification, reason, basis, call, motive You have no cause to be dissatisfied 4 case, matter, issue, concern; movement, undertaking; ideal, belief We appealed the miners' cause to the high court
v. 5 make, induce What causes hot air to rise? 6 effect, bring on or about, give rise to, result in, produce, create, precipitate, occasion, lead to, induce, generate, provoke, promote; engender; motivate, compel: Overeating causes indigestion