prosecution

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tion ˌprä-si-ˈkyü-shən 

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

Synonyms

• accomplishment
• achievement
• commission
• discharge
• enactment
• execution
• fulfillment
• fulfilment
• implementation
• performance
• perpetration
• pursuance

Examples of prosecution in a Sentence

There has been an increase in prosecutions for gun-related crimes.

The defendant is awaiting prosecution.

The prosecution called their first witness.

The prosecution rests, Your Honor.

The defense told the jury that the prosecution had not proved its case.

Recent Examples on the Web

The same prosecution team has also indicted Biden in Los Angeles on multiple allegations of tax violations, and that trial — a more complex case that will delve into his foreign consulting business — is scheduled for September. —Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2024

The weaponization of our legal system, the politicization of prosecution, these are all things that President Trump absolutely has to comment on. —ABC News, 2 June 2024

District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a progressive Democrat whose campaign touted his record of filing lawsuits against Trump in the state attorney general’s office, pursued a manifestly selective prosecution. —Nr Editors, National Review, 31 May 2024

Boeing’s recent problems could expose it to criminal prosecution related to the deadly crashes of two Max jetliners in 2018 and 2019. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 31 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing prosecution

• testify for the defense/prosecution
• the prosecution

Kids Definition

prosecution

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tion ˌpräs-i-ˈkyü-shən 

1

: the act or process of prosecuting

especially : the bringing and continuance of a criminal case

2

: the one bringing charges of crime against a person being tried

especially : the state's lawyers in a criminal case

Legal Definition

prosecution

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tion ˌprä-si-ˈkyü-shən 

1

: the act or process of prosecuting

especially : the institution and carrying on of a criminal action involving the process of seeking formal charges against a person and pursuing those charges to final judgment

2

: the party by whom criminal proceedings are instituted or conducted compare defense sense 3, plaintiff