prosecution

noun pros·e·cu·tion \ ˌprä-si-ˈkyü-shən \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Examples: prosecution in a Sentence

Definition of prosecution

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

See prosecution defined for English-language learners

See prosecution defined for kids

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 of prosecution from the Web

Both players were named as witnesses for the prosecution, and therefore could not be charged as accomplices.

— SI.com, "Liverpool Defender Dejan Lovren Could Be Charged With Perjury in Croatia Alongside Luka Modric," 6 June 2018
The incident remains the subject of a contentious investigation and military prosecution.

— ian duncan, baltimoresun.com, "On first Memorial Day since his son's death, Navy father is still figuring out how to move forward," 28 May 2018
But Berman Jackson concluded for several reasons that Mueller's investigation and prosecution of Manafort is legal -- and that the special counsel still can maintain some independence while working within the Department of Justice.

— katelyn polantz, CNN, "Judge rejects Manafort attempt to dismiss criminal case," 15 May 2018
Price wants to ramp up investigations and prosecutions of police officers for misconduct on the job.

— rachel swan, San Francisco Chronicle, "Race for Alameda County district attorney reflects broader reform movement," 11 May 2018
On Monday, the defense and prosecution clashed over recordings of Jones’ call for roadside assistance, and Raja’s call to 911.

— marc freeman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Corey Jones police shooting: Doctor testifies about fatal wound to drummer's chest," 8 May 2018
Syed’s circumstances changed after he was featured in 2014 in the first season of NPR’s hit true-crime podcast Serial, which triggered widespread scrutiny of his arrest and prosecution.

— kc baker, PEOPLE.com, "Friend of Serial Murder Victim Claims Adnan Syed's Alibi Witness Is Unreliable: 'She's Riding the Publicity'," 26 Apr. 2018
The alleged abuse occurred more than 30 years ago and was already beyond the statute of limitations for prosecution when the first three accusers came forward in 1995.

— michael tarm, Aurora Beacon-News, "Colleges are urged to end ties with Aurora volleyball coach accused of sexual misconduct," 26 Apr. 2018
Legislation to increase funding for investigations and prosecutions was shelved in 2015 and 2016 amid heavy bail industry lobbying.

— jazmine ulloa, latimes.com, "Efforts to regulate bail companies have some unlikely allies: bail agents," 24 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prosecution.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of prosecution

1545

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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prosecution Synonyms

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

PROSECUTION Defined for English Language Learners

prosecution

noun

Definition of prosecution for English Language Learners

: the act or process of holding a trial against a person who is accused of a crime to see if that person is guilty
the prosecution : the side of a legal case which argues that a person who is accused of a crime is guilty : the lawyer or lawyers who prosecute someone in a court case
: the act of doing or continuing to do something

PROSECUTION Defined for Kids

prosecution

noun pros·e·cu·tion \ ˌprä-si-ˈkyü-shən \

Definition of prosecution for Students

1 : the act of carrying on a legal action against a person accused of a crime in court

2 : the lawyers in a criminal case trying to prove that the accused person is guilty

The prosecution will try to prove it was murder.

Law Dictionary

prosecution

noun pros·e·cu·tion \ ˌprä-si-ˈkyü-shən \

legal Definition of prosecution

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 3, plaintiff