prosecution

noun

pros·e·cu·tion | \ ˌprä-si-ˈkyü-shən

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

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing prosecution Learn More About 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 charge was dropped as part of a deferred prosecution agreement. — Mary Spicuzza, Journal Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2022 The company paid a $230 million fine, among other conditions of its deferred prosecution agreement. — Andrew J. Tobias, cleveland, 5 Aug. 2022 The videos and photos are part of the prosecution’s case. — Terry Spencer, BostonGlobe.com, 31 July 2022 The committee has not been shy about referring for potential prosecution witnesses who refuse to cooperate. — Eric Tucker And Mary Clare Jalonick, Anchorage Daily News, 23 July 2022 But on Monday, the first prosecution witnesses described in painful detail what happened that day. — New York Times, 18 July 2022 According to the prosecution case, Russian customs officials found two vape cartridges containing .702 grams of cannabis oil in her baggage at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport in February, a week before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. — Alex Horton, Washington Post, 14 July 2022 Maani, who wore a wire as part of the sprawling federal investigation, was charged with bribery in August 2020 and has entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. attorney’s office. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2022 Glanville on Wednesday issued a temporary order instructing defense attorneys to withhold contact information of prosecution witnesses from their clients. — Kate Brumback, ajc, 7 July 2022 See More

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.

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Dictionary Entries Near prosecution

prosecuting attorney

prosecution

prosecutor

Statistics for prosecution

Last Updated

18 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Prosecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prosecution. Accessed 18 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for prosecution

prosecution

noun

pros·e·cu·tion | \ ˌprä-si-ˈkyü-shən

Kids Definition of prosecution

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.

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 sense 3, plaintiff