prosecutor

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tor ˈprä-si-ˌkyü-tər 

1

: a person who institutes a prosecution before a court

2

: prosecuting attorney

Examples of prosecutor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At the days-long hearing, prosecutors will need to prove that Mateo’s use of force wasn’t justified. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2025

Where Aguilar’s court case stands The criminal case against Aguilar was still developing as prosecutors reviewed the facts and evidence of what occurred. —Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 26 Aug. 2025

In July, special prosecutors investigating Yoon's declaration of martial law served a search warrant on the Korean part of a military base jointly operated with the United States. —Steve Holland, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025

Williams took office in January 2021, one of a wave of progressive prosecutors across the country. —Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prosecutor

• persecutor
• commuter
• computer
• polluter
• recruiter
• microcomputer
• minicomputer
• supercomputer
• neuter
• pewter
• router
• scooter

Kids Definition

prosecutor

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tor ˈpräs-i-ˌkyüt-ər 

: a person (as a district attorney) who prosecutes especially a criminal case as lawyer for the state

Legal Definition

prosecutor

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tor ˈprä-si-ˌkyü-tər 

1

: a person who institutes a prosecution (as by making an affidavit or complaint charging the defendant)

2

: a government attorney who presents the state's case against the defendant in a criminal prosecution