/bi kawz", -koz", -kuz"/ , conj.
1. for the reason that; due to the fact that: The boy was absent because he was ill.
2. because of , by reason of; due to: Schools were closed because of heavy snowfall.
[ 1275-1325; ME bi cause BY CAUSE ]
Syn. 1. BECAUSE, AS, SINCE, FOR, INASMUCH AS agree in implying a reason for an occurrence or action. BECAUSE introduces a direct reason: I was sleeping because I was tired. AS and SINCE are so casual as to imply merely circumstances attendant on the main statement: As (or since ) I was tired, I was sleeping. The reason, proof, or justification introduced by FOR is like an afterthought or a parenthetical statement: I was sleeping, for I was tired. INASMUCH AS implies concession; the main statement is true in view of the circumstances introduced by this conjunction: Inasmuch as I was tired, it seemed best to sleep.
Usage. 1. See reason .