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
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 investigation resulted in historic felony cruelty prosecution related to animals used for food.
—
Will Potter
july 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025
The death of the 32-year-old has shuttered the federal criminal prosecution and thickens the cloud of mystery surrounding the May 17 bombing attack at the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California.
—Scott MacFarlane 6, CBS News, 6 July 2025
That's almost 3,500 people who could have benefited from the Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) program, which delivers treatment as an alternative to prosecution or incarceration.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 4 July 2025
Its language, which legal scholars have defined as vague, has led to controversial prosecutions, including against Black champion heavyweight boxer Jack Johnson in 1913.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prosecution
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Will Potter
july 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025
The death of the 32-year-old has shuttered the federal criminal prosecution and thickens the cloud of mystery surrounding the May 17 bombing attack at the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California.
—Scott MacFarlane 6, CBS News, 6 July 2025
That's almost 3,500 people who could have benefited from the Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) program, which delivers treatment as an alternative to prosecution or incarceration.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 4 July 2025
Its language, which legal scholars have defined as vague, has led to controversial prosecutions, including against Black champion heavyweight boxer Jack Johnson in 1913.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 3 July 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 14 Jul. 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
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