Main Entry: pros·e·cu·tion

Pronunciation: \ˌprä-si-ˈkyü-shən\

Function: noun

Date: 1567

1 : the act or process of prosecuting; specifically : the institution and continuance of a criminal suit involving the process of pursuing formal charges against an offender to final judgment
2 : the party by whom criminal proceedings are instituted or conducted
3 obsolete : pursuit