because of

preposition

: by reason of : on account of

Examples of because of in a Sentence

I was late for work because of the snowstorm, which made driving a nightmare.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The demand for aluminum is increasing because of its significance in lightweight transportation, construction, and packaging, particularly in low-carbon variants. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 The barbecue restaurant is just north of the square, and Alexander says business has suffered because of it. Meg Anderson, NPR, 23 May 2025 Normally, the family is able to see him once a month, but the authorities had granted an extra visit, because of a national holiday. Sam Knight, New Yorker, 23 May 2025 At the time, some Jewish students and faculty complained about being harassed during the demonstrations or ostracized because of their faith or their support of Israel. Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for because of

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of because of was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Because of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/because%20of. Accessed 31 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

because of

preposition
: by reason of

More from Merriam-Webster on because of

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