causation.

the relationship by which one event or condition brings about another

Use it for

Words that belong together

• establish causation
• infer causation
• chain of causation

On the page

The study finds an association but does not establish causation.

Several links in the chain of causation remain uncertain.

Temporal order alone is insufficient evidence of causation.

Usage notes

Primary curation section: Academic. Causation concerns producing an effect, not merely occurring alongside it. Evidence of mechanism or suitable design strengthens causal claims. Usually uncountable. Related forms: cause, causal, causally.