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
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
An attorney for Latino voter engagement group Poder Latinx also urged Walker to shield their members from prosecution under the noncitizen provision.
—
Kate Payne, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
The court’s ruling granted the president immunity from prosecution for official acts, expanding executive power.
—Steven Delco, Hartford Courant, 8 Aug. 2025
Ironically, Trump’s own court victories could now help shield Clinton and Obama, as the Supreme Court ruled that presidents enjoy some immunity from prosecution related to their official acts, a fact now weighing in favor of Trump’s Democratic predecessors.
—Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025
Anyone who is caught attempting to throw anything onto the court can receive at minimum a one-year ban from WNBA games in addition to arrest and potential prosecution by police.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prosecution
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Kate Payne, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
The court’s ruling granted the president immunity from prosecution for official acts, expanding executive power.
—Steven Delco, Hartford Courant, 8 Aug. 2025
Ironically, Trump’s own court victories could now help shield Clinton and Obama, as the Supreme Court ruled that presidents enjoy some immunity from prosecution related to their official acts, a fact now weighing in favor of Trump’s Democratic predecessors.
—Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025
Anyone who is caught attempting to throw anything onto the court can receive at minimum a one-year ban from WNBA games in addition to arrest and potential prosecution by police.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prosecution
Cite this Entry
“Prosecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prosecution. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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