cause

any entity that produces an effect or is responsible for events or results

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

a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy

the family brought suit against the landlord

a justification for something existing or happening

he had no cause to complain

they had good reason to rejoice

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

they are trying to determine the cause of the crash

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

give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

cause a commotion

make a stir