Phrase guide

probable cause

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Reasonable grounds for making an arrest or conducting a personal or property search.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, uncountable

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: pc

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see probable, cause.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable

Examples

  • the probable cause of the accident

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

(law) evidence sufficient to warrant an arrest or search and seizure

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a magistrate determined that there was probable cause to search the house

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: evidence, grounds

History

Etymology

Elliptical for “probable cause to suspect a crime has been committed”, where probable carries the sense “worthy of acceptance or belief”. Attested in legal contexts since the 17th century.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 相當理由 /相当理由 (xiāngdāng lǐyóu) — reasonable grounds for making an arrest or conducting a personal or property search
  • Finnish: todennäköinen syy — reasonable grounds for making an arrest or conducting a personal or property search
  • Norwegian Bokmål: skjellig grunn til mistanke — reasonable grounds for making an arrest or conducting a personal or property search
  • Polish: prawdopodobny motyw — reasonable grounds for making an arrest or conducting a personal or property search
  • Russian: доста́точное основа́ние (dostátočnoje osnovánije) — reasonable grounds for making an arrest or conducting a personal or property search