prosecutor

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tor ˈprä-si-ˌkyü-tər 

1

: a person who institutes a prosecution before a court

2

: prosecuting attorney

Examples of prosecutor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Descano, a former prosecutor for the Obama administration, took office in Fairfax in 2020 as part of a movement of leftist prosecutor candidates backed by megadonor George Soros. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026

Around the same time, the prison-like, black-steel fence was taken down from around the public prosecutor’s office. — Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026

An Illinois judge found Corie Walsh too dangerous to release after prosecutors alleged the Frankfort mother posed a threat to her husband and three surviving children after she was charged with murdering her 2-year-old son, Barrett. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

The defense told jurors prosecutors are relying on the salacious affair to prove its case, arguing the decision to charge the former worship leader stemmed from a flawed investigation, rush to judgment and lack of direct evidence. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prosecutor

• persecutor
• commuter
• computer
• polluter
• recruiter
• microcomputer
• minicomputer
• supercomputer
• neuter
• pewter
• router
• scooter

Kids Definition

prosecutor

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tor ˈpräs-i-ˌkyüt-ər 

: a person (as a district attorney) who prosecutes especially a criminal case as lawyer for the state

Legal Definition

prosecutor

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tor ˈprä-si-ˌkyü-tər 

1

: a person who institutes a prosecution (as by making an affidavit or complaint charging the defendant)

2

: a government attorney who presents the state's case against the defendant in a criminal prosecution