1
a
: a set of circumstances or conditions
is the statement true in all three cases
b(1)
: a situation requiring investigation or action (as by the police)
Her disappearance is a case for the police.
(2)
: the object of investigation or consideration
The child's case was turned over to state authorities.
2
: condition
specifically
: condition of body or mind
3
[Middle English cas, from Anglo-French, from Latin casus, translation of Greek ptōsis, literally, fall]
a
: an inflectional form of a noun, pronoun, or adjective indicating its grammatical relation to other words
the possessive case
b
: such a relation whether indicated by inflection or not
4
: what actually exists or happens : fact
thought he had failed, but that wasn't the case
5
a
: a suit or action in law or equity
a criminal case
a civil case
b(1)
: the evidence supporting a conclusion or judgment
(2)
: argument
especially
: a convincing argument
makes a good case for adopting the proposal
6
7
: oneself considered as an object of harassment or criticism
get off my case
1
2
a
: an outer covering or housing
a pastry case
b
: a tube into which the components of a round of ammunition are loaded
3
: a divided tray for holding printing type
4
: the frame of a door or window : casing
cased; casing
1
: to enclose in or cover with or as if with a case : encase
cased his coin collection
2
: to line (something, such as a well) with supporting material (such as metal pipe)
3
: to inspect or study especially with intent to rob
cased the bank before the robbery
Synonyms
Examples of case in a Sentence
Noun (1)
those binoculars come with their own case
a handy little cosmetics case that matches the rest of her luggage
Noun (2)
her doctor wishes that all of his cases were as cooperative as she is
this is a perfect case of people jumping to the wrong conclusion before all the facts are known
this has never been the case before
you'll get a chance to make your case, but unless you're very convincing, your request will be denied
a young boy suffering from a case of chicken pox
it may be the case that the cause of the fire will forever remain a mystery
that's a tough case to solve
Recent Examples on the Web
Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2024
In recent months, he has been ordered to pay $83.3 million in a defamation case and an additional $454 million in a civil fraud case brought by the New York attorney general, Letitia James.
—Paul Kiel, Fortune, 11 May 2024
In addition to the New York hush money case, the former president faces trial in South Florida on charges of mishandling classified information, and two cases in Washington, D.C., and Georgia on federal and state charges respectively of trying to steal the 2020 election from Biden.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 11 May 2024
There was no delay in removing the individual from duty, and AAPS and Durham teams dutifully followed through on this case up to and including a member of the Durham staff testifying at a hearing.
—Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 11 May 2024
The Correctional Healthcare Partners founder is a defendant in the Wilson case, which could go before a jury later this year.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2024
According to the latest projections published by the CDC, around 28.2% of COVID-19 cases nationwide are now being caused by a sublineage of the virus called the KP.2 variant.
—Alexander Tin, CBS News, 10 May 2024
In one of two videos sent to NPR from the hospital Ghanem points out to a colleague one of his most difficult cases – an 18-year-old woman with a skull fracture so severe that brain material was visible.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 May 2024
Sabraw said Burns tried more than 150 cases as a prosecutor, argued 40 cases before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and was widely considered the best trial lawyer by other local prosecutors.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2024
Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2024
The tenders had a crispy, flavorful casing around tender chicken and the waffle fries were coated in an addictive sweet jalapeño seasoning blend.
—Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
The existing black aluminum windows were wrapped with jamb liners, casing, and connected with interstitial panels to weave them into the reconfigured spaces.
—Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
This is because anaerobic exercise cases lactate production.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
But defense attorneys say prosecutors knew which cases Jones would help them with and that claiming otherwise in court was a convenient and disingenuous sleight of hand.
—The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024
Investigators further found a Canik 9mm handgun at the foot of the bed with a shell casing inside.
—Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Jan. 2024
When a burglary crew cased a wealthy Pacific Palisades enclave off Sunset Boulevard last week, LAPD detectives were watching covertly.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024
Photograph: Swatch Group Omega followed the first Alaska prototype with a second design the following year, cased in the conventional 42-mm Moonwatch case.
—Chris Hall, WIRED, 5 Mar. 2024
Noun
An interesting twist at the show’s end reverts us back to just how up, down and up again life in and out and in the instant (and in this case criminal) celebrity spotlight can be.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2024
In recent months, he has been ordered to pay $83.3 million in a defamation case and an additional $454 million in a civil fraud case brought by the New York attorney general, Letitia James.
—Paul Kiel, Fortune, 11 May 2024
In addition to the New York hush money case, the former president faces trial in South Florida on charges of mishandling classified information, and two cases in Washington, D.C., and Georgia on federal and state charges respectively of trying to steal the 2020 election from Biden.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 11 May 2024
There was no delay in removing the individual from duty, and AAPS and Durham teams dutifully followed through on this case up to and including a member of the Durham staff testifying at a hearing.
—Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 11 May 2024
The Correctional Healthcare Partners founder is a defendant in the Wilson case, which could go before a jury later this year.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2024
According to the latest projections published by the CDC, around 28.2% of COVID-19 cases nationwide are now being caused by a sublineage of the virus called the KP.2 variant.
—Alexander Tin, CBS News, 10 May 2024
In one of two videos sent to NPR from the hospital Ghanem points out to a colleague one of his most difficult cases – an 18-year-old woman with a skull fracture so severe that brain material was visible.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 May 2024
Sabraw said Burns tried more than 150 cases as a prosecutor, argued 40 cases before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and was widely considered the best trial lawyer by other local prosecutors.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2024
Verb
The suspects cased the area before abduction Police believe the suspects drove around Kwik Trip numerous times looking for a vehicle to steal.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2024
The tenders had a crispy, flavorful casing around tender chicken and the waffle fries were coated in an addictive sweet jalapeño seasoning blend.
—Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
The existing black aluminum windows were wrapped with jamb liners, casing, and connected with interstitial panels to weave them into the reconfigured spaces.
—Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
This is because anaerobic exercise cases lactate production.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
But defense attorneys say prosecutors knew which cases Jones would help them with and that claiming otherwise in court was a convenient and disingenuous sleight of hand.
—The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024
Investigators further found a Canik 9mm handgun at the foot of the bed with a shell casing inside.
—Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Jan. 2024
When a burglary crew cased a wealthy Pacific Palisades enclave off Sunset Boulevard last week, LAPD detectives were watching covertly.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024
Photograph: Swatch Group Omega followed the first Alaska prototype with a second design the following year, cased in the conventional 42-mm Moonwatch case.
—Chris Hall, WIRED, 5 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'case.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Case.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/case. Accessed 15 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
case
1 of 2 noun1
: a situation requiring investigation, action, or consideration
a case for the police
2
a
: a form of a noun, pronoun, or adjective showing its grammatical relation to other words
the word "child's" in "a child's shirt" is in the possessive case
b
: such a relation whether shown by change of form or not
the subject of a verb is in the nominative case
3
: what actually exists or happens : fact
thought he had failed, but that wasn't the case
4
: a question or claim to be settled in a court of law
5
: a convincing argument
made a good case for accepting the plan
6
a
: an instance of disease or injury
a case of chicken pox
b
7
: example sense 3
a case of injustice
case
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a box or container to hold something
b
: a box with its contents
2
: an outer covering or protective shield
3
Etymology
Noun
Middle English cas "situation needing action," from early French cas (same meaning), from Latin casus "fall, chance," from cadere "to fall, happen, come by chance"
Noun
Middle English cas "box, container," from early French case, chase (same meaning), from Latin capsa "chest, box," from capere "to take" — related to capture, cash
Medical Definition
case
noun1
: the circumstances and situation of a particular person or group
2
a
: an instance of disease or injury
10 cases of pneumonia
b
Legal Definition
case
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a civil or criminal suit or action
the judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution—U.S. Constitution art. III
see also controversy, small tax case
U.S. Constitution art. III
—
case at bar
: a case being considered by the court
the facts of the case at bar
—
case of first impression
: a case that presents an issue or question never before decided or considered by the court
—
companion case
: a case that is heard with another case because it involves similar or related questions of law
—
test case
: a representative case whose outcome will serve as precedent for future cases and especially for pending cases involving similar or related issues or circumstances and often some of the same parties
Note: A test case is selected from a number of cases in order to avoid a flood of litigation. All of the parties to the cases must agree to accept the outcome of the test case as binding.
: a proceeding usually in the form of a suit for injunction brought to obtain a decision as to the constitutionality of a statute
b
: the reported facts, procedural history, and especially decision in an action
—
landmark case
: a case that marks a significant turning point on a particular issue
—
leading case
: a case so well reasoned and important in the rules of law determined and in the principles declared that it becomes well-known and is frequently cited by courts and lawyers as settling the points of law ruled upon and as useful in resolving new questions of law
c
: the evidence and arguments presented by a party in court see also case stated
—
case in chief
: the main part of a party's case including arguments for which the party bears the burden of proof but not including rebuttal
—
prima facie case
: a case established by evidence that is sufficient to raise a presumption of fact or establish the fact in question unless rebutted
2
: trespass on the case at trespass
case
2 of 2 transitive verb
cased; casing
: to inspect or study with intent to rob
casing a store
Etymology
Noun
Latin casus accident, event, set of circumstances, literally, act of falling
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