WordGarden.iocausation
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /kɔːsˈeɪʃən/
US
- /ˌkɔˈzeɪʃən/
Meanings
Noun
the relationship or process by which one thing causes another
the legally recognized connection between an act and a result
Beyond the definition
Causation isn't just that something happened, but why. It's the relationship between an event (the cause) and another event that follows it (the effect). Think of dominoes: pushing the first one causes the rest to fall. But be careful! Just because two things happen close together doesn't mean one caused the other—sometimes it's just a coincidence.
Understanding causation is crucial in everything from science ("a lack of oxygen causes a flame to go out") to history ("the assassination sparked a war") and even everyday life ("studying hard led to a good grade"). It's about showing that one thing directly leads to another, not just that they appear together. You might say a rainy day was the cause of your canceled picnic, illustrating causation in action.
Causation refers to the relationship between cause and effect—the connection where one event (the cause) makes another event happen (the effect). It's more than simply observing that two things occur in sequence; it requires demonstrating that one directly influences or produces the other.
This concept is fundamental across many fields. In science, researchers strive to establish causation through controlled experiments, proving that a specific variable causes a particular outcome. For example, they might demonstrate that a certain chemical causes a plant to grow faster. In law, establishing causation is vital for determining responsibility; did the defendant's actions cause the plaintiff's injuries?
However, identifying true causation can be tricky. Correlation—where two things happen together—does not equal causation. Just because ice cream sales increase during the summer and crime rates also rise doesn't mean one causes the other! There is usually a third factor (like warmer weather) influencing both. This is often referred to as a "lurking variable."
Philosophers have debated the nuances of causation for centuries, exploring concepts like necessary and sufficient conditions. But at its core, causation is about understanding why things happen—tracing events back to their origins and identifying the forces that set them in motion. A detective might investigate a crime scene, looking for clues to establish causation: what series of events led to the victim's death? Whenever you're trying to understand the "how" and "why" behind an event, you're exploring the realm of causation.
Examples
- 1
Common misconception
Our teacher kept repeating that correlation is not causation.
- Phrasecorrelation is not causation
two things can be connected without one causing the other
- 2
Research limit
The study found a strong link between lack of sleep and stress, but it did not prove causation.
- 3
Medical research
Researchers are still debating the causation of the disease because several factors may be involved.
- 4
Legal proof
In court, her lawyer had to show causation by linking the faulty brakes to the crash.
- Phraseshow causation
prove that one thing directly led to another
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Legal evidence
The judge said the timing alone was not enough to establish causation.
- Phraseestablish causation
prove it clearly with evidence
See also
Similar
- causality
- causal connection
- cause-and-effect relationship
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- direct causation
- establish causation
- causation versus correlation
- chain of causation
Word family
Explore
- causal inference
- proximate cause
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- causationnoun
Forms
- causationspluralnoun