definition of
cause

[1] #1 cause v. [do, make] give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally; "cause a commotion"; "make a stir"; "cause an accident". wn

[2] #2 cause v. [induce, stimulate, have, get, make] cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner; "The ads induced me to buy a VCR"; "My children finally got me to buy a computer"; "My wife made me buy a new sofa". wn

[3] #3 cause n. events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something; "they are trying to determine the cause of the crash". wn

[4] #4 cause n. [reason, grounds] a justification for something existing or happening; "he had no cause to complain"; "they had good reason to rejoice". wn

[5] #5 cause n. [campaign, crusade, drive, movement, effort] a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end; "he supported populist campaigns"; "they worked in the cause of world peace"; "the team was ready for a drive toward the pennant"; "the movement to end slavery"; "contributed to. wn