Definitions of cause:

• noun:   a justification for something existing or happening

  Example: "He had no cause to complain"

• noun:   events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

  Example: "They are trying to determine the cause of the crash"

• noun:   any entity that causes events to happen
• noun:   a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end

  Example: "They worked in the cause of world peace"

• noun:   a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy
• verb:   give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

  Example: "Cause a commotion"

• verb:   cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner