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
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
What was once an unthinkable event has become common with the myriad prosecutions of former President Donald Trump.
—
George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 21 July 2024
Since that 1965 decision, the Supreme Court has said some of its rulings may not be applied retroactively to all past cases; however, in a case involving immunity — the possibility that a prosecution should never have occurred at all — any decision would almost certainly be retroactive.
—Devlin Barrett, Washington Post, 21 July 2024
Troconis was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with evidence, conspiracy to tamper with evidence and hindering prosecution.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2024
Trump has centered his appeal to Black voters by equating his criminal prosecutions to the historic discrimination Black Americans have faced.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 19 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for prosecution 
George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 21 July 2024
Since that 1965 decision, the Supreme Court has said some of its rulings may not be applied retroactively to all past cases; however, in a case involving immunity — the possibility that a prosecution should never have occurred at all — any decision would almost certainly be retroactive.
—Devlin Barrett, Washington Post, 21 July 2024
Troconis was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with evidence, conspiracy to tamper with evidence and hindering prosecution.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2024
Trump has centered his appeal to Black voters by equating his criminal prosecutions to the historic discrimination Black Americans have faced.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 19 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for prosecution
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prosecution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near prosecution
Cite this Entry
“Prosecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prosecution. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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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