cause

verb1 of 2

to make something happen; create effect or result

• “Authorities say many of the fires were caused by people.”Tatoeba
• “The police arrested the man who was causing the disturbance.”Tatoeba

Sentences from Tatoeba show real usage. A word can have several meanings, so a sentence may use another one.

noun2 of 2

(often with of, typically of adverse results) The source of, or reason for, an event or action; that which produces or effects a result.