hot pursuit

noun

: close and avid or intense pursuit

specifically : close continuous pursuit of a fleeing suspected lawbreaker or hostile military force especially across territorial lines

Examples of hot pursuit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the studio, players will have to deal with shifting alliances and car chases that apparently draw hot pursuits. —Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 2 June 2026

The Trojans are working hard to upgrade their offensive line, and Oregon is in hot pursuit of five-star receiver Xavier Sabb from New Jersey and top-100 defensive lineman Kasi Currie from California. —Grace Raynor, New York Times, 2 June 2026

But the Hurricanes and Oregon are in hot pursuit. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026

Netflix in late December announced plans to acquire Warner Bros. streaming and studios assets, appearing to derail Ellison’s hot pursuit of a purchase for all of WBD. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 6 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1743, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hot pursuit

• absolute
• arrowroot
• attribute
• bitterroot
• constitute
• convolute
• destitute
• disrepute
• dissolute
• execute
• institute
• involute

Legal Definition

hot pursuit

noun

hot pur·​suit

: the immediate and continuous pursuit by police officers of a fleeing suspect whose possible escape justifies the failure of the officers to obtain a warrant before making an entry, search, seizure, or arrest