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 of prosecution
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 new law also extends the statute of limitations for prosecution of a human trafficking crime from six years after the crime is committed to 10 years.
—
Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 9 Dec. 2025
Curry Newton was indicted for custodial interference, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation filed a warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, but the case was dismissed in 2000 after the commonwealth could not reach Joseph Newton.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Dec. 2025
The department eventually resumed casework by adding Blanche’s signature alongside Habba’s, a stopgap approach that kept prosecutions moving even as the legal fight played out.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 8 Dec. 2025
Prosecutors had argued a gag order was needed to ensure that Detwiler’s trial was not prejudiced in Detwiler’s favor, that everyone involved in prosecution remain safe and to prevent Detwiler from profiting off his case.
—Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prosecution
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 9 Dec. 2025
Curry Newton was indicted for custodial interference, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation filed a warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, but the case was dismissed in 2000 after the commonwealth could not reach Joseph Newton.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Dec. 2025
The department eventually resumed casework by adding Blanche’s signature alongside Habba’s, a stopgap approach that kept prosecutions moving even as the legal fight played out.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 8 Dec. 2025
Prosecutors had argued a gag order was needed to ensure that Detwiler’s trial was not prejudiced in Detwiler’s favor, that everyone involved in prosecution remain safe and to prevent Detwiler from profiting off his case.
—Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Dec. 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 11 Dec. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share